The VPR Graduate Fellows Program at Colorado State University was created by the Vice President for Research to support excellence in graduate research and to promote interdisciplinary work at the university by engaging the best and brightest students from graduate programs across the institution.
Click each photo to view the fellows’ bios.
Jordan Acosta, from Castle Rock, Colorado, is a master’s degree candidate and graduate assistant for the sensorimotor neuroimaging laboratory in the College of Health and Human Sciences. Her research investigates impairments within neurological communication necessary for coordination and locomotion in persons with multiple sclerosis. She’s earned various accolades including the Robert W. Gotshall Graduate Scholarship and the Lucile and Charles Terrell Memorial Award. Acosta holds a bachelor’s degree in health and exercise science from Colorado State University. After graduation, she wants to own a multidisciplinary neurological rehabilitation center focused on physical, mental and emotional well-being.
Tiffany Banks, from Baltimore, Maryland, is a doctoral candidate in the College of Health and Human Sciences where her research focuses on the use of animal-assisted interventions for people with autism. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Niagara University and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Maryland. Banks’ background includes more than 10 years in the clinical setting serving communities with disabilities. After graduation, she hopes to mentor other social work students in research and advocacy.
Kimi Conro, from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is a graduate teaching assistant and doctoral candidate with the department of journalism and media communication. Her research examines the socio-cultural and psychological factors that contribute to the polarization of scientific topics in political communication and its impacts on social and democratic health. During her studies, Conro serves as an adjunct instructor. She holds a master’s degree in media communication and dual bachelor’s degrees in electronic media and global studies from Middle Tennessee State University. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career examining the political and social implications of polarized science communications.
Christopher Gale, from Boise, Idaho, is a doctoral candidate in the chemistry department of the College of Natural Sciences, where his research investigates methods for measuring amorphous water droplets within organic media. Gale holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Boise State University. After graduation, he hopes to become a professor of chemistry and further his research interests.
Andrew Hagen, from Fairmont, Minnesota, is a doctoral candidate and graduate assistant for the sensorimotor neuroimaging laboratory in the College of Health and Human Sciences. His work explores sensorimotor control associated with neurodegenerative disease, focusing on populations affected by multiple sclerosis. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biokinetics from Bethel University and has a background in biomedical engineering as a researcher at the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Neurological Restoration. In the future, Hagen plans to continue his work investigating applications of peripheral stimulation technology to improve the quality of life for people living with neurodegenerative conditions.
Noah Horesh, from Westminster, Colorado, is a doctoral candidate and graduate research assistant in the Walter Scott Jr. College of Engineering. He is a graduate research aide for the U.S. Department of Energy, Argonne National Laboratory. Horesh’s work focuses on the economic and environmental impacts of emerging electric vehicle technologies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Colorado State University and his research is published in the Applied Energy Journal and Journal of Cleaner Production. After graduation, Horesh aspires to continue his work exploring solutions to scale electric vehicle adoption.
Darcy Hunstiger, from Anchorage, Alaska, is a doctoral candidate in CSU’s interdisciplinary graduate studies cell and molecular biology program. Her research as a graduate assistant in the department of chemical and biological engineering investigates the use of algae to sustainably manufacture pharmaceutical and industrial molecules as an alternative to petroleum-derived products. Hunstiger holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Colorado State University where she also served three years as an undergraduate researcher examining algal photosynthesis. While her study interests are diverse, she aspires to support scientific innovation that drives an equitable and sustainable future for all.
Heidi Kreckel, from Chazy, New York, is a doctoral candidate in the College of Natural Sciences. Her research explores the fundamental interactions of cryoprotecting agents in plants essential for improving current cryopreservation protocols. While pursuing her doctoral degree, Kreckel serves as a graduate research and teaching assistant in the Colorado State University chemistry department. She holds two bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and biochemistry from the State University of New York, College at Potsdam. After graduation, Kreckel plans to continue her research, expanding into the cryo-industry and bringing cold temperature preservation solutions to scale.
Sylvia Lee, from Los Angeles, California, is a doctoral candidate and graduate research assistant in the College of Health and Human Sciences. Her research delves into the relationship between diet and chronic diseases, with a focus on the consumption of blueberries and its impacts on the gut biome and cardiovascular health. Before starting graduate school, Lee was an undergraduate assistant in the Coastal Ocean Observing Laboratory at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography and the Muscle Biology Laboratory at UC San Diego. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from UC San Diego and a master’s degree in human nutrition from Colorado State University. After graduation Lee plans to use her background to improve food system sustainability.
Derek Newberger, from Erie, Colorado, is a doctoral candidate and graduate research assistant in the Vivanco lab for the department of horticulture and landscape architecture in the College of Agriculture Sciences. His research focuses on developing sustainable cropping techniques for peach trees and other stone fruit production. During his studies, Newberger has also served as the president of the Colorado State University Graduate Student Council. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Baylor University and a master’s degree in biology from the University of San Francisco. After graduation, Newberger aspires to ascend to an administrative position within academia or government.
Juli Scamardo, from Sugar Land, Texas, is a doctoral candidate and graduate research assistant in the Warner College of Natural Sciences. Her research involves field work, remote sensing and modeling to analyze the formation of ephemeral streams and floodplains in the American Southwest. Scamardo holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Texas, Austin, and a master’s degree in geosciences from Colorado State University. After graduation, she plans to continue researching, communicating and teaching others about rivers through a career in academia.
Valerie Seitz, from Chinook, Washington, is a doctoral candidate in CSU’s interdisciplinary graduate studies program. Her work investigates the biochemical relationship between cover crops and soil health for the agriculture industry. Seitz has extensive laboratory experience, serving as a research assistant in the department of horticulture at Colorado State University, where she also earned her bachelor’s degree of equine science in the College of Agricultural Sciences. After graduation, she hopes to continue to work in microbiome science and create equitable opportunities for others in STEM.
Annika Weber, from Tucson, Arizona, is a doctoral candidate and research assistant in the College of Health and Human Sciences. Her work explores human nutrition and global health solutions, including the use of rice bran as a dietary supplement to curb malnutrition in developing countries. Before starting graduate school, Weber worked overseas on children’s health research, which sparked her interest in international nutrition. This led to a grant from the National Science Foundation’s International Research Experiences for Undergraduate Students where she served in an environmental and biomedical lab in Dublin, Ireland. Weber holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from California Lutheran University and a master’s degree in human nutrition from the University of Sheffield. After graduation, she hopes to continue her research with an international public health agency working to reduce chronic disease.