The Vice President for Research Graduate Fellowship Program at CSU was created to support excellence in research by engaging top students from programs across the institution.
The VPR Fellowship connects these interdisciplinary students and empowers their research by providing them with the resources they need to succeed in Graduate School. Supports provided include travel stipends, workshops, networking opportunities and professional development.
Click each photo to view the fellows’ bios.
– Derek Newberger, VPR Fellow 2022-23
Amir Alayoubi is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Biology at Colorado State University, in Dr. Kim Hoke’s lab. From Upland, California, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychological science from California State University San Marcos, and has received numerous honors, awards and scholarships. Alayoubi ‘s research focuses on neural mechanisms of acoustic communication in tree frogs. He aspires to run his own lab and mentor scientists in academia, private research or industry. Outside of research, Alayoubi enjoys playing alternative/progressive rock music in his band, and cycling, camping and traveling.
Marc Alessi, from Syracuse, New York, is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Atmospheric Science. His research focuses on how the pattern of ocean surface warming affects the rate of global warming and drought. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Cornell University in atmospheric science. After graduation, Alessi hopes to pursue a professorship at a research university. In his free time, he enjoys reading and playing cello in the Fort Collins Community Orchestra.
Aaunterria Bollinger-Deters, from Carbondale, Illinois, is a doctoral student and graduate teaching assistant in the College of Liberal Arts and a graduate teaching aide in the U.S. Department of Journalism and Media Communication. Bollinger-Deters’ work focuses on Black women’s relationship to authoritative power through the assessment of Black women’s perceived role in viral murder videos, domination pornography and video games. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and media arts and a graduate certificate in women, gender and sexuality studies from Southern Illinois University as well as a master’s degree in ethnic studies from Colorado State University. After graduation, Bollinger-Deters aspires to obtain a tenure-track professorship and continue her work exploring ethical virtual research method solutions.
Rachel Brady is from a small suburb outside New York City and is a second-year Ph.D. student in cell and molecular biology in the laboratory of Doug Thamm. She has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Messiah College and a doctorate in veterinary medicine from UC Davis. She also completed a medical oncology residency at UC Davis. She currently studies how the innate immune system can be influenced to fight cancer in both dogs and people. After graduation, she hopes to find a job that combines both research and clinical work.
Rosi Danzman earned a Bachelor of Science in biology/chemistry in her hometown at Delaware Valley University in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. In 2020, Danzman enjoyed biking to classes at CSU for a Master of Science in biomedical sciences, concentration in Neuroscience. Currently, Danzman is a second–year Ph.D. student in the Cell and Molecular Biology Program, via the Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience Program. Danzman works with Dr. Ashok Prasad in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering on the factors and forces that determine nuclear shape to predict cell health. Danzman plans on becoming a professor.
Brendan Davidson is a doctoral student with the Political Science Department in the College of Liberal Arts. Raised in Centennial, Colorado, his research focuses on job quality for workers during the energy transition, with existing work published in the journal Energy Research & Social Science. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography and Philosophy from the University of Northern Colorado. He hopes to pursue a research career that advances opportunities for workers across various walks of life, anchored in a commitment to mutual learning and expression.
Tais Menezes is from Sao Paulo, Brazil. She is a first year Ph.D. student at the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. Menezes is an economist and holds a masters and a Ph.D. degree in applied economics from the University of Sao Paulo. She was a visiting scholar at CSU during 2021-2022 after winning a Fulbright Doctoral Dissertation Research Award. Recently, Menezes won the S. Lee Gray Agricultural and Resource Economics Scholarship and she was a Farm Foundation Cultivator. Menezes’ research is focused on agricultural policy, international trade and animal health economics.
Rachel Jones, from Billings, Montana, is a Ph.D. student in the Agricultural Chemistry Laboratories within the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. Jones’ research interests are in mass spectrometry data analysis, which provides opportunities to engage with diverse questions about the safety and quality of foods and crops. Jones previously earned a Bachelor of Science summa cum laude in biological sciences and a Master of Education, both from CSU. After graduating, Jones hopes to serve research communities as a data analyst in a core lab facility. Outside of research, Jones enjoys running and drawing.
Curtis Kline is a Ph.D. candidate in political science within the College of Liberal Arts where he is advised by Dr. Marcela Velasco. His work focuses on food and agricultural politics, specifically with indigenous peoples in Latin America. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations, and a Master of Arts in international human rights. Kline’s background includes more than 10 years of working with indigenous and rural communities regarding human rights issues and sustainable community development. After completing his Ph.D., Kline would like to become a professor and continue teaching, researching and advocating.
Elisa McGhee is a Ph.D. student studying the seismology and geophysics of coupled earth systems in the Department of Geosciences. Her graduate work focuses on understanding the oceanic controlling mechanisms of ice shelf fracture using seismic data. In the future, McGhee is interested in leveraging fiber optic sensing technology to passively monitor earth system changes and seismic ambient noise for national defense and space applications. Her background includes more than 15 years as an Air Force pilot. She is passionate about developing youth who are interested in STEM and aviation.
Megan Moran is a doctoral student in the Applied Developmental Science program in the Human Development and Families Studies department. She is a graduate research assistant in the Adolescent Wellness Lab and the Family Relationships and Development Lab. Moran’s research is focused on mindfulness-based intervention for supporting holistic health and wellbeing, particularly in adolescents. Her career goal is to lead community-engaged research that deepens our understanding of mindfulness-based intervention and strengthens the science of its implementation. Megan earned her bachelor’s degree in English at Georgetown University, is originally from Darnestown, Maryland, and enjoys rock climbing, camping and yoga.
Chris Patrick, from Washington, D.C., is a Ph.D. student in the Human Bioenergetics program within the Department of Health and Exercise Science. Patrick came to CSU after obtaining a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience at Allegheny College and working for nearly five years at the Janelia Research Campus of Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He works in the Sensorimotor Neuroimaging Lab where his research focuses on identifying neural components that contribute to mobility impairment in people with multiple sclerosis. In the future, Patrick would like to head up his own research team and continue to uncover aspects of human sensorimotor control. In his free time, you can find Patrick exploring the great outdoors with his partner Marisa and their dog, Jo.
Cozette Romero, from Kaneohe, Hawai’i, is a master’s student in the Graduate Degree Program in the Department of Ecology and Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology. Her research focuses on the impacts of invasive rodents on forest birds in tropical ecosystems. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo. She has worked in various positions protecting threatened and endangered species for six years and intends to continue this work in her future career. Romero is passionate about sustainability and social justice issues and wants to provide opportunities to individuals from underrepresented backgrounds.
Callie Slaughter is from Austin, Texas and is pursuing a Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology. She received her Bachelor of Science in microbiology, immunology, and pathology from Colorado State University in 2020. Slaughter‘s research focus is on engineering biological material for synthetic applications, including the creation of new biomaterials and nasal probiotics. She works in Dr. Chris Snow’s synthetic systems biology lab and was awarded the T32 Predoctoral Training Grant in Quantitative Cell & Molecular Biology in 2021. Outside of her research, Slaughter enjoys mentoring undergraduate scientists.
Rachel Tremaine is a Ph.D. student in mathematics from San Diego, California, and a research assistant with ACT UP Math. She holds a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in mathematics from Colorado State University. Her research focuses on understanding how equity work is motivated in undergraduate mathematics education. She has been recognized for her teaching at CSU, and throughout her graduate career has shared work via publication and conferences. Tremaine aspires to create welcoming and exciting mathematics learning environments via a continued career in academia.