Ambassador Biographies

College: College of Natural Sciences
Department: Chemistry
Advisor: Amber Krummel
yusef.farah@colostaste.edu

Yusef is a PhD candidate in the chemistry department working with the Krummel research group at CSU.  He uses nonlinear spectroscopic techniques to study the structure and dynamics of molecules pertaining to solar energy devices.  The goal of this research is to create solar energy devices that are efficient, environmentally sustainable, and inexpensive to produce.   He is also an officer of Science in Action, a student-led science policy and communication organization at CSU.  Yusef enjoys playing classical guitar, gardening, snowboarding, golfing, and reading in his free time. 

College: College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Department: Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology
Advisors: Marcela Henao-Tamayo and Brooke Anderson
Amy.Fox@colostate.edu 

Amy is a PhD candidate in the Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology (MIP) department at Colorado State University. Prior to coming to CSU, she received her BS in Bioengineering from Rice University. Her research at CSU focuses on testing the efficacy of Tuberculosis and COVID-19 vaccines and developing R packages for analyzing flow cytometry data. She has served as President and Technology Officer of the MIP Graduate Student Organization, and Outreach Coordinator and National Liaison for Graduate Women in Science. In her free time, she loves sailing, traveling, and puzzling. 

College: College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Department: Environmental & Radiological Health Sciences
Faculty Lab: Dr. Michael Weil
Elvin.Garcia@colostate.edu

Elvin is completing his last year of the MBA program at Colorado State University at the College of Business. He is also a Research Scientist in the Department of Environmental & Radiological Health Sciences, working with Dr. Michael Weil to generate genetic assays and mouse models to study the risk of radiation carcinogenesis. In his days off, you can find him cycling, hiking, running, and camping in the Rockies with his wife and two boys. 

College: College of Natural Sciences
Department:  Computer Science
Advisor: Sanjay Rajopadhye
Waylon.Jepsen@rams.colostate.edu
COFOUNDER:  Attica

Waylon Jepsen is a first year Masters student at Colorado State University Studying Computer Science. Waylon finished his undergraduate degree in mathematics in December of 2019 with a minor in Philosophy. Waylon has a large variety of unique skills ranging from distributed ledger development in cyber security to data analysis. Growing in this industry, it has become increasingly important to him to contribute to the decentralization of our cyberspace, thus limiting the continued exploitation of data rights. With a desire for deeper understanding of the technology involved, he aspires to have a positive impact on the directions of these industries. Waylon has two cats which he loves dearly. In his free time, he plays board games with his friends. 

College: Walter Scott, Jr. College or Engineering
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Advisor: Thomas Bradley
benmcken@rams.colostate.edu

Ben is a mechanical engineering graduate student at Colorado State University researching hybrid and autonomous vehicles. His passions are focused around automobiles, additive manufacturing, sustainable energy, wearable tech, compliant mechanisms, robotics, IP, and product development. Ben plans to get a master’s in engineering and business administration to help him in industry.

College: College of Natural Sciences
Department: Chemistry
Advisor: Chuck Henry
Catherine.McMahon@colostate.edu

Kate’s research focuses on point-of-care diagnostics for COVID-19 as well as electrochemical and paper-based sensors for quantification of heavy metals in complex matrices. Specifically, her work focuses on creating rapid, low-cost, and portable sensors that can be widely applicable. Additionally, she is working on developing new extraction protocols for heavy metals that alleviate the need for hazardous chemicals. Kate is a current member of the Graduate Women in Science seminar committee, the Chemistry Graduate Student Organization and the Graduate Student Council. During her free time, Kate can be found listening to live music, exploring with her dog Duffy, and catching up with friends and family.

College: College of Natural Sciences
Department: Chemistry
Advisor: Alan Kennan
Melissa.Schenkel@colostate.edu

Melissa is a PhD candidate in the Department of Chemistry at Colorado State University. Her research focuses on developing point-of-care diagnostic devices for various types of cancer and chronic illnesses. She also works on a team developing rapid diagnostic tests for COVID-19. She has previously served as an officer for the Chemistry Graduate Student Organization. In her free time, Melissa can be found playing soccer or ultimate frisbee, on the ski slopes, or hanging out at local breweries.

College: College of Agricultural Sciences
Department: Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Advisor: Adam Heuberger
Sahar.Bagheri@colostate.edu

Sahar is a PhD candidate in the Horticulture department, working in the Crop for Health Laboratory. Her passion is to improve the crop nutritional quality as a translational delivery vehicle for consumer health. Sahar’s research is focused on the effect of crop phytochemicals on cardiometabolic disease. She qualifies and quantifies bioactive compounds in different crops, and different potato cultivars.  She uses a multidisciplinary approach involving proteomics, metabolomics, biochemistry, and pre-clinical study to gain an understanding of the relationships between different potato cultivars and their bioactive compounds on cardiometabolic diseases, such as hypertension and obesity. Sahar has also worked with the CSU Food System, to evaluate consumer and market needs as well as what barriers exist for a producer to introduce their new crops into the market.  

Department: Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology
Advisors: Marcela Henao-Tamayo and Brooke Anderson

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Advisor: Jason Quinn
COFOUNDER:  Ouro Mobility