See yourself in these shared STEM stories. View each STEM professional’s profile to learn more about these STEM professionals and their careers.
Near Peer Journey Leadership
Graduate Student-PhD Candidate
My name is Jaylene. I love school and didn’t want to leave. I like being a scientist and learning. I am from a small…
Mechanical Engineering Student
I am a senior mechanical engineer at the University of Colorado, Boulder. I am originally from Aurora, Colorado. I grew up in a Mexican…
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Student
I’m studying Engineering at the University of Boulder. I love playing video games, watching anime and building cool stuff. I’m planning on becoming a…
Software Engineer
My name is Emily Baker. I was born in Nanjing, China and adopted when I was 2.5. I have lived in Colorado since then.…
Developer Evangelist
Valériane is a French Developer Evangelist at Twilio. Her role is to serve and help the developers community and to share what she knows…
Senior Software Support Analyst
My name is Sunaina (pronounced su-9-nah) and i am a senior software analyst at MedKeeper, a Grifols Company. I help our customers with any…
Graduate Research Assistant
I am a PhD Student at University of Colorado Boulder studying Space Weather and its impact on technology. I was born and raised in…
Radiation Belt Researcher
Hi! My name is Julia. I am in graduate school (that means 17th grade!). My job is to talk to spaceships and ask them…
PhD Student - Research Assistant
My name is Luis Rodriguez, and I’m an aerospace engineering PhD student at the University of Colorado Boulder. I was born and raised in…
Bioastronautics PhD Researcher
I’m Luca, a Colorado native and aerospace engineering PhD student at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and I’ve always dreamed of being an astronaut!…
Field Engineer Intern
Im Devany De La Torre, a first generation student at the University of Colorado Denver studying Construction management. I hope to be a project…
Rotational Engineer
Hello! My name is Sivan Zouela and I am 23 years old. I just moved to Colorado in July to start working for Gates…
Shared Career Experiences
Director of Cybersecurity
As the Director of Cybersecurity, I lead a team of engineers and analysts protecting DCP Midstream from cybersecurity threats. Additionally, I served for more…
Analytical Chemist/Stability Manager
I was born in Wyoming and moved to Colorado when I was a young girl. Attended college at Regis University in Denver and graduated…
Metallurgical Technician
My name is Brittany Martinez. I have always loved learning and reading. In school, my favorite subjects were math and science which is why…
Chair, Department of Physics and Astrophysics
I grew up in El Paso Texas not speaking English. I went to college late in life, but in college, I discovered that I…
Senior Project Leader
Paul is a seasoned satellite operator and engineering expert with over 30 years of diverse expertise across government, military and commercial aerospace, IT, and…
Systems Engineer
I am a Systems Engineer at Lockheed Martin, where I have worked since 1999 when I was awarded a masters in Aerospace Engineering. I…
External Quality Manager
My name is Amber Pinnell and I live in Thornton, Colorado. I moved to Colorado in 2014 from Missouri, which is where I was…
Senior Long Term Mine Planning Lead
My name is Evan Shefik and I grew up in Littleton south of Denver. After high school I decided pursue an engineering degree at…
Principle Underground Mine Engineer
Hi, my name is Austin Powell and I am an underground mining engineer. I grew up with a fascination in science and technology and…
Hydrologist
I study how water moves through the water cycle and how it changes as it moves. I help provide people with clean water and…
Director Metallurgical Services
Born in England to Venezuelan parents, Janet moved to Venezuela as a child, where she completed her school years and developed a passion for…
Project Manager
Vanna is a team player known for her collaborative approach and a talent for devising solutions to address every project challenge, thereby assuring clients…
Project Engineer
Hi my name is Brandee, I have been working with PCL Construction for just over a year. I work with designers and builders to…
Director of Engineering and Tech Services
Susi was born and raised in Colombia and lived in Louisiana, Florida and Paris for a few years before graduating from High School. After…
Senior Process Control Engineer
My name is Raul Yonagusuku, and I was born in Peru. As a child, I had a lot of fun with my electronic toys…
Director Health
My name is Cat Walker. I loved the science of food from an early age. I enjoyed sport and athletics and always wanted to…
Senior Architect of Data Science and Machine Learning
My name is Anne Lifton and I have over ten years of experience as a data scientist. I now lead teams of data scientists…
Project Manager
My name is Alessandra Escalante. I was born in Peru and move to Florida at the age of 12. I graduated from Florida State…
Project Engineer
My name is Jazmyn Ramirez. I was born and raised in New York City. I moved to Denver 1 year ago to work for…
Senior Engineer
I was born and raised in Mexico and I always liked math and science. My parents and teachers saw that and encourage me to…
Material Development Engineer
I grew up on a farm in mid-Missouri. I loved being outside and helping my dad fix equipment but I also loved baking and…
Professor and Associate Dean
I am a question asker, problem solver, dog lover, learner, traveler, weight lifter, and adventurer. My wife and I have lived in Denver for…
Sr. Director, Regulatory & Legislative Affairs
Ms. Applegate has nearly 20 years of experience in the energy industry working in utilities electric generation, natural gas regulation, and renewable energy. She…
Director Processing
We need special materials to make the things we use in our lives every day. From cell phones, to jewelry to treating cancer, gold…
Sr. Director of Quality
I grew up in a small farming community in Wyoming. I was the third of four kids, raised by a single mother. We were…
Central Region Bridge Leader
I grew up near Philadelphia, PA; went to college at Lehigh University where I earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Then I went…
Director Enterprise Architecture
I grew up in Texas but never owned a horse or a cowboy hat. I enjoyed camping and the outdoors which lead me as…
President and CEO
The oldest of four children, Jill Tietjen grew up in Hampton, Virginia. She earned a BS in applied mathematics (minor in electrical engineering) from…
Developer Educator
I’ve been writing code for most of my life and my favorite way to learn new tech things is to design and develop a…
General Manager
When I was young, we moved around because my Dad was in the Army. I always liked school because that is where I made…
Associate General Counsel
I have been a lawyer for 30 years. I like to help solve problems, and work with engineers, geologists, environmental scientists, computer scientists and…
Director- Metallurgical Services
My name is Lauren Hafla. I collected rocks from a very young age. When I was 10, I began participating in Science Fairs and…
Principal Advisor
Meghan has over 12 years of experience in mine engineering. She has used software to create 3D designs of underground mines, developed the maps…