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Alumni

Reputation of Excellence

When you enroll in our academic offerings, you gain a network of mentors and role models through our strong alumni community. We maintain alumni relationships through an online database, guest speakers, and professional networking.

Graduates from the Biology program at CSU Pueblo have achieved success in many careers and sectors, and many have continued their studies in graduate programs. Below are some of our graduates which includes their career paths.

If you are a CSU Pueblo Department of Biology graduate and have news you would like to share, please contact our department today!

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    Graduate School

    • Anthony Aragon is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of New Mexico. He was featured in the September 2003 issue of the US Dept. of Health & Human Services/National Institutes of Health publication, Findings.
    • Audrey Colnar did an internship with the Smithsonian Institution's Environmental Research Center in Maryland where she assisted in research on the invasion of coastal ecosystems by non-native species. She was accepted into graduate programs at both Western Washington University and at the University of Maryland and has completed a Master's degree working with invasive species at WWU.
    • Gabe Cosyleon received a Master's degree in environmental science from Oklahoma State University. He married Paige Hensen in 2005. 
    • Paul Hurtado is currently working on his Ph.D. in applied mathematics at Cornell University in New York.
    • Ben Mack is working on his Master's degree in education at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs.
    • Sasha Nelson completed a postgraduate degree in Behavior at the University of La Trobe, Australia, and continued on in a Master's program, compiling interpretive material for Australian national parks.
    • Rosemary Townsend is enrolled in the Bridges to the Ph.D. program at Colorado State University Pueblo and continuing on to Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
    • Victoria Jones Valdez is in graduate school at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
    • Amy Uhernik is in graduate school at Colorado State University Pueblo.
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    Professional School

    Medical School

    • Mike Boswell completed medical school at Howard University and is doing his residency in internal medicine at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, OH.
    • Anna Cosyleon has completed both medical school and her residency at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. She and her husband Jim Dorsch ('94) have two kids.
    • Mike Driscoll is attending Medical School at Louisiana State University Shreveport.
    • DJ Dutton is attending Medical School at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
    • Danielle McDermott (Cipolla) is attending medical school at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
    • Shawn Morgan has completed a Master's degree in neuroanatomy at Colorado State University-Fort Collins and is attending medical school at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
    • Kevin Marquez is attending Medical School at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
    • Carla Proctor is working as a pediatrician in Pueblo, Colorado.
    • Margarita Sifuentes is attending Medical School at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
    • Anya Watson is attending Medical School at the University of Iowa.
    • (James) Thumper Womack received his M.D. degree at OU. He is now working as an orthopedic surgeon and residing in Wichita Kansas.
    • Shane Hess is studying for his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree at Des Moines University.
    • Rebecca Holder is attending Rocky Mountain College of Osteopathic Medicine.
    • Krista Lund is attending the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (at the Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ).
    • Maxwell Nanes is attending a DO school in Chicago.
    • Tiffany Doane has entered the Physician Assistant program at the CU Health Sciences Center after completing "intensive" training in Wisconsin.
    • Jennifer Still completed the Physician Assistant program at Nova Southwestern University and is in practice with her husband in Cañon City, Colorado. She and her husband have one child.
    • Jennifer Birrer is attending the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center's Physical Therapy Program.
    • Sara Ledbetter is in the Physician Assistant program at the University of Colorado Health Sciences.
    • Ashley Nelson graduated from the University of Utah. 
    • Eric Lewis is at Des Moines University getting his doctorate in Podiatric Medicine.

    Dental School

    • Barbara Chapman is attending dental school at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
    • Gerald Glenn is a dentist in Denver, Colorado.
    • Anthony Knowlton is attending dental school at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
    • Melissa Montano has been accepted into dental school at the University of Colorado School of Dentistry.
    • Renae Morischini attended dental school at Creighton University in Nebraska and is currently a dentist in Pueblo.
    • Dennis Romero is attending dental school at the University of Minnesota.
    • Brian Scott is attending Creighton University School of Dentistry.

    Law School

    • Beau Ellis completed an MS in Environmental Health at CSU-Fort Collins. He is currently attending law school at George Washington University in Washington D.C.
    • Greg Styduhar completed his degree in environmental law at Creighton University in Nebraska. He is currently practicing law in Pueblo.

    Pharmacy School

    • Jenny Bacca graduated from pharmacy school at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.
    • Lisa Cicero is attending pharmacy school at CU Health Sciences Center in Denver.
    • Nacho Gutierrez completed pharmacy school at CU Health Sciences Center and is a pharmacist at the south side Walgreen's in Pueblo.
    • Jenna Pechek is attending the CU School of Pharmacy.
    • Felicia Rodriguez (Garcia) graduated from the Pharmacy School at CU Health Sciences Center.
    • Caroline Sandoval is attending Pharmacy school at the University of Texas Health Science Center.
    • Lonnie Smith is in the pharmacy program at CU Denver.
    • Ryan Smithburg completed pharmacy school at CU Health Sciences Center and is a pharmacist in Limon, Colorado.
    • Jeremy Thomas is attending Pharmacy school at CU Health Sciences Center.

    Veterinary School

    • Caroline Ahlsberg has received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University-Fort Collins and is now practicing small animal medicine and living with her husband Trent Artichoker in Portland, OR.
    • Charity Corning is attending Colorado State University-Fort Collins College of Veterinary Medicine.
    • Margaret Hecht received a Dodge Grant to study alternative surgical training practices at Colorado State University - Fort Collin's College of Veterinary Medicine, where she attended veterinary school.
    • Adam Ralston has received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Louisiana State University's School of Veterinary Medicine.
    • Marcos Unis studied veterinary medicine at St. George's University in Granada, West Indies. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, Marcos relocated temporarily to Purdue University (one of several U.S. institutions affiliated with St. George's). He was recently awarded the Fort Dodge Animal Health Award for Excellence in Small Animal Surgery from St. George's University and is currently doing his residency at NC State College of Veterinary Medicine in Raleigh, North Carolina.
    • Brett Webb is attending veterinary school at CSU-Fort Collins.

    Chiropractic School

    • Trent Artichoker completed his Master's Degree in Anatomy at Colorado State University-Fort Collins and is now attending Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Oregon, in pursuit of his Doctors of Chiropractic degree.
    • Christie Sanchez is practicing in Colorado Springs. 
    • Rob Avita is practicing in Pueblo.
    • Trent Artichoker completed his Master's Degree in Anatomy at Colorado State University-Fort Collins and is now attending Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Oregon, in pursuit of his Doctors of Chiropractic degree.
    • Christie Sanchez is practicing in Colorado Springs.
    • Rob Avita is practicing in Pueblo.

     

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    Education

    • Nick Alfonso is teaching in the biology department at Pueblo Community College.
    • Joey Irby (Mathews) worked at Ashland Chemical for several years and is now teaching biology at Pueblo Community College.
    • Mandy Kuiken is teaching biology at Pueblo Community College's Cañon City Campus.
    • Shanda Todisco (Vidmar) received a Master's degree from CSU-Fort Collins and is on the biology faculty of Pueblo Community College.
    • Leeanne Carabelos is teaching science at Central High School in Pueblo.
    • Larry McPherson after working for several years at El Pueblo Boys and Girls Ranch is now teaching special education at Pueblo West Elementary School.
    • Krista Schramm is teaching science at Saint Dominic High School in New York, where she lives with her young daughter. She has received several educational grants to teach field ecology to her students.
    • Kathy Spock (Dodge) is teaching science at Pleasantview Middle School, Pueblo District 70. She also trains other teachers in outdoor science education.
    • Gary Wermers teaches science at Heaton Middle School in Pueblo. He and his wife Kendra have a young son.
    • Carolyn Glaubensklee, after completing her Ph.D. at the University of New Mexico and teaching for several years at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, and the Nursing Department at CSU-Pueblo. She is currently teaching anatomy and physiology at Rocky Mountain College of Osteopathic Medicine.
    • Kathryn Chavez, Ph.D. is doing a Postdoc at Cornell University. She was involved in the Bridges program before earning her undergraduate degree at Colorado State University Pueblo. She then went on to get her Ph.D. at Cornell University in 2008. 
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    Federal Agencies

    FBI

    • Ryan Deleon joined the army after completing his undergraduate degree, and later returned to CSU Pueblo for a Master's degree. He earned his Master's while working as a prison guard in Cañon City, Colorado. He is currently a physical scientist and forensic investigator for the FBI at their headquarters in Quantico, Virginia.

    FDA 

    • Michael Maselli is working as a microbiologist for the Food and Drug Administration in Denver, Colorado.

    Bureau of Land Management

    •  Steve Sanchez is working as a Rangeland Manager for the Bureau of Land Management in Sagauche, Colorado.
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    State Agencies

    Colorado Department of Transportation

    • Scott Roalofs is working in the laboratory doing analysis of asphalts.

    Colorado Bureau of Investigation

    • Jake Book is working as a chemist for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

    Bureau of Land Management

    • Steve Sanchez is working as a Rangeland Manager for the Bureau of Land Management in Sagauche, Colorado.

     

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    City Agencies

    • Annie Burrleman worked at CSU-Pueblo as lab coordinator in the Biology department after graduation. She is currently working at Colorado Springs Utilities.
    • Jim Dorsch is working for the Denver Metro Wastewater Plant.
    • Mark Heaston is working in Pueblo at Earthtech doing water quality management in and around the Pueblo Depot. He and his wife Jennifer have a young daughter.
    • Jenny Kedward is working for the water department in Pueblo.
    • Kevin Meyers is working at the wastewater treatment facility in Pueblo.
    • Jessica Viges is working for the water department in Chicago.
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    Environmental Agencies

    Forest Service

    • John Ireland is a firefighter working out of the Belmont station in Pueblo. 
    • Chuck Omdahl is a firefighter/emergency medical technician in Security, Colorado, and is training as a paramedic.
    • Carrie Tucker is working in Pueblo.

    Fish and Wildlife

    • Leann Berry did water chemistry studies for two years before becoming a senior lab technician for the State Fish Laboratory in Brush, Colorado, where she tests fish for whirling disease.

    Kiowa Engineering

    • Liz Klein is working for Kiowa Engineering in Colorado Springs, where, among other things, she identifies wetland plants along the Front Range. She is also President of the SE Colorado Chapter of the Native Plant Society.
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    Medical Field

    • Christina Bazanele is working as a medical technologist at Parkview Medical Center.
    • Cynthia Craven attended the medical technology program at Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital in Denver. Angela DeHerrera ('05) is working as a medical technologist.
    • Tiffany Fletcher is currently attending Parkview's Medical Technology Program.
    • Sarah Nelder attended Parkview Hospital's Medical Technology Program.
    • Kristen Simpson is currently doing an internship at Parkview Medical Center.
    • Melanie Kirby is working as a medical technologist at Parkview Medical Center.
    • Jenn McElroy is currently working as a medical technologist at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs.
    • Jennie Mead is currently working as a medical technologist at Parkview Medical Center.
    • Nick Rendler is currently working as a medical technologist at Parkview Medical Center.
    • Melanie Spinuzzi attended the HealthOne Medical Technology Program at St. Luke's in Denver.
    • Adam Wagner is married to Kylie Setser and works as a recreational therapist at the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo.

     

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    Sports

    • Paul Regrutto is the assistant soccer coach at CSU Pueblo.
    • Traci Tafoya (Hale) earned a Master's degree in Sports Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. She is the head coach for girls soccer at Central High School and teaches physical education at Haaff Elementary in Pueblo. She and her husband, Eric Hale, are expecting their first child.
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    Others

    Air Products and Chemicals

    • Kylie Setser (Wagner) works for Air Products and Chemicals in Pueblo. She and her husband, Adam Wagner, are expecting their first child.

    Excel Energy

    • Joshua McGirk is working as an organic chemist for Xcel in Boulder, Colorado.
    • Somer Mese is the head of Industrial Hygiene for Excel Energy.

    Plant Biotechnology

    • Bonnie Hund completed a Master's degree at the University of Illinois and is currently working for a plant biotechnology company in Malibu, California.

    Other Notes

    • Robert Novak, Ph.D. ('70) received the 2005 Alumni Achievement Award from CSU-Pueblo for his work as a medical entomologist. Dr. Novak is a professor and scientist at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and is an AAAS Fellow.​​​​​ 

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