Skip to main content

STEM Ambassadors

The STEM Ambassador Program began in 2016 as a training program for a small cohort of University of Utah scientists. Since then, we have grown to work with over 170 graduate students, post-docs, faculty, staff, and undergraduate students. Scroll down to learn about the scientists who have participated. Contact us if you would like to reach out to a STEM Ambassador.

Note that many Ambassador bios were uploaded when the Ambassador joined the program and may not be current.

Photo of Sarah Apple

Sarah Apple

Sarah works in Dr. Michael Kay’s lab at the University of Utah, where she uses the law of symmetry to design drugs that prevent infections. Specifically, her projects focus on developing D-peptide drugs that stop Ebola virus and E. coli bacteria from entering and infecting cells. She uses a variety of techniques, including peptide synthesis and X-ray crystallography, to understand the details of how D-peptide drugs bind to their targets.…Read More

Sarah works in Dr. Michael Kay’s lab at the University of Utah, where she uses the law of symmetry to design drugs that prevent infections. Specifically, her projects focus on developing D-peptide drugs that stop Ebola virus and E. coli bacteria from entering and infecting cells. She uses a variety of techniques, including peptide synthesis and X-ray crystallography, to understand the details of how D-peptide drugs bind to their targets. Sarah hopes that her work will lead to treatment and preventative therapies that protect people from disease.

Photo of Emerson Arehart

Emerson Arehart

Emerson Arehart works with Dr. Fred Adler at the University of Utah to use mathematical modeling in the study of natural systems and interactions. Emerson has a Bachelors in Math, and a background in a wide variety of topics, including designing slot machines and breeding honeybees.Read More

Emerson Arehart works with Dr. Fred Adler at the University of Utah to use mathematical modeling in the study of natural systems and interactions. Emerson has a Bachelors in Math, and a background in a wide variety of topics, including designing slot machines and breeding honeybees.

Photo of Danny Bae

Danny Bae

Danny works in Dr. Julie Hollien’s lab at the University of Utah, where he uses mammalian cells as a model to study cellular stress and neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, his project focuses on discovering relationship between lysosome repositioning, aggregated proteins, and how they can affect neurodegeneration. He uses a variety of techniques from cell biology, biochemistry, and genetics to answer his research questions.…Read More

Danny works in Dr. Julie Hollien’s lab at the University of Utah, where he uses mammalian cells as a model to study cellular stress and neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, his project focuses on discovering relationship between lysosome repositioning, aggregated proteins, and how they can affect neurodegeneration. He uses a variety of techniques from cell biology, biochemistry, and genetics to answer his research questions. Danny would like to see his research contributing to deeper understanding of protein aggregates and neurodegeneration.

Photo of Gaëlle Batot

Gaëlle Batot

Gaëlle is a Senior Research Analyst for the Anticonvulsant Drug Discovery Program in the Department of Pharmatoxicology at the University of Utah. The program is testing promising drug compounds in their Epilepsy model. They are also developing and testing new models for pharmacoresistant forms of epilepsy.Read More

Gaëlle is a Senior Research Analyst for the Anticonvulsant Drug Discovery Program in the Department of Pharmatoxicology at the University of Utah. The program is testing promising drug compounds in their Epilepsy model. They are also developing and testing new models for pharmacoresistant forms of epilepsy.

Photo of Kylie Beach

Kylie Beach

Kylie is a student in Dr. Sarah Franklin's lab in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Utah. Her research focuses on understanding how genes are turned "off" and "on" to compensate for changes in the cellular environment. Through her research, she hopes to better understand how the genomic landscape is altered in heart disease and what can be done to prevent patients from progressing to heart failure.…Read More

Kylie is a student in Dr. Sarah Franklin’s lab in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Utah. Her research focuses on understanding how genes are turned “off” and “on” to compensate for changes in the cellular environment. Through her research, she hopes to better understand how the genomic landscape is altered in heart disease and what can be done to prevent patients from progressing to heart failure. Kylie is excited about sharing science with people of all ages and backgrounds and looks forward to honing her science communication skills through STEMAP. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching documentaries, playing with her dog, and skiing.

Photo of Tom Becnel

Tom Becnel

Tom Becnel works with Dr. Pierre Giallardon. His overzealous love of tinkering with the household appliances forced his parents to ship him off to the University of Utah, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Tom is now working with SCI and AirU to develop a low cost, ultra low power particulate matter sensor to further aid in monitoring pollution in the Salt Lake Valley.…Read More

Tom Becnel works with Dr. Pierre Giallardon. His overzealous love of tinkering with the household appliances forced his parents to ship him off to the University of Utah, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Tom is now working with SCI and AirU to develop a low cost, ultra low power particulate matter sensor to further aid in monitoring pollution in the Salt Lake Valley. With thousands of these sensors deployed in the valley, AirU aims to create a dense pollution map that is available online as an open source project. Tom likes to explore Utah’s wilderness with his fiancé, Dayana, and his chocolate lab, Moose.

Photo of David Belnap

David Belnap

David Belnap received his B.S. in biochemistry from Brigham Young University and his Ph.D. in biology from Purdue University. Since his days at Purdue, David has used three-dimensional electron microscopy to study the structure of viruses. He has published work on papillomaviruses (human, rabbit, and bovine), polyomaviruses (human, mouse, simian, and avian), poliovirus, hepatitis B virus, herpes simplex virus, and bacteriophages (bacterial viruses).…Read More
David Belnap received his B.S. in biochemistry from Brigham Young University and his Ph.D. in biology from Purdue University. Since his days at Purdue, David has used three-dimensional electron microscopy to study the structure of viruses. He has published work on papillomaviruses (human, rabbit, and bovine), polyomaviruses (human, mouse, simian, and avian), poliovirus, hepatitis B virus, herpes simplex virus, and bacteriophages (bacterial viruses).
David has also studied other macromolecular complexes—tiny “machines” that keep us alive—and helped improve 3DEM techniques. Currently, he directs the Electron Microscopy Core Laboratory at the University of Utah, where he helps clinicians and researchers use the electron microscope. David has also published in the area of science and religion. ​He enjoys gardening, playing sports, cycling, running, reading, and almost anything outdoors.
Photo of Benjamin Breeden

Benjamin Breeden

Benn Breeden works with Dr. Randall Irmis at the University of Utah. He is a vertebrate paleontologist broadly interested in the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems across the Triassic-Jurassic boundary, which is dated to 201.3 million years ago. His research in recent years has focused on the anatomy and evolutionary relationships of early dinosaurs and their closest relatives from across the Colorado Plateau, often utilizing X-ray computed tomography (CT) to help visualize the anatomy of fossils.…Read More

Benn Breeden works with Dr. Randall Irmis at the University of Utah. He is a vertebrate paleontologist broadly interested in the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems across the Triassic-Jurassic boundary, which is dated to 201.3 million years ago. His research in recent years has focused on the anatomy and evolutionary relationships of early dinosaurs and their closest relatives from across the Colorado Plateau, often utilizing X-ray computed tomography (CT) to help visualize the anatomy of fossils.
Benn received his MS in Geological Science from The University of Texas at Austin and his BS in Geology from The University of Maryland. Benn is a drummer and enjoys collecting vinyl records, playing Pokémon, and trying to learn Japanese.

Photo of Rebecca Bruders

Rebecca Bruders

Rebecca works with Dr. Michael Shapiro at the University of Utah where she uses the domestic rock pigeon as a model to study the evolutionary developmental basis of phenotypic diversity in animals. With over 300 different breeds of domestic pigeon created from centuries of selective breeding for traits such as color, feather ornamentation, and behavior, the domestic pigeon is an ideal model for understanding the genetic and developmental basis of unique traits.…Read More

Rebecca works with Dr. Michael Shapiro at the University of Utah where she uses the domestic rock pigeon as a model to study the evolutionary developmental basis of phenotypic diversity in animals. With over 300 different breeds of domestic pigeon created from centuries of selective breeding for traits such as color, feather ornamentation, and behavior, the domestic pigeon is an ideal model for understanding the genetic and developmental basis of unique traits.

Rebecca enjoys reading, running, walking, and playing games.

Photo of Amy Buxton

Amy Buxton

Amy Buxton is a member of Dr. Çağan Şekercioğlu’s Biodiversity and Conservation Ecology Lab at the University of Utah. She studies avian conservation ecology and is interested in the impacts of urbanization and other disturbances on biodiversity. Amy is passionate about environmental education and outreach and is excited about the opportunity to be involved in the STEM Ambassador Program.

Read More

Amy Buxton is a member of Dr. Çağan Şekercioğlu’s Biodiversity and Conservation Ecology Lab at the University of Utah. She studies avian conservation ecology and is interested in the impacts of urbanization and other disturbances on biodiversity. Amy is passionate about environmental education and outreach and is excited about the opportunity to be involved in the STEM Ambassador Program.

Photo of Erin Cafferty

Erin Cafferty

Erin Cafferty is a graduate student in the Elde lab at the University of Utah. She studies poxviral evolutionary strategies which a particular interest in viral manipulation of host mechanisms. In the first year of her undergraduate studies, Erin developed a love for virology while in HHMI’s SEA-PHAGES program which provides hands-on research experience to underrepresented groups.…Read More

Erin Cafferty is a graduate student in the Elde lab at the University of Utah. She studies poxviral evolutionary strategies which a particular interest in viral manipulation of host mechanisms. In the first year of her undergraduate studies, Erin developed a love for virology while in HHMI’s SEA-PHAGES program which provides hands-on research experience to underrepresented groups. As a first generation college student, Erin has a passion for outreach projects that help inspire the next generation of STEM professionals. In her free time, Erin enjoys camping, hiking, bar trivia, and creative pursuits such as painting and embroidery.

Photo of Marc Calaf

Marc Calaf

Marc Calaf directs the Wind Energy and Turbulence Lab at the University of Utah. His research group studies the impacts of wind turbines on the dynamics of the atmospheric boundary layer (first kilometer of the atmosphere) and works to develop new parameterizations and models to better reproduce the interaction between the land-surface and atmospheric flow and to be used in numerical weather prediction models.Read More

Marc Calaf directs the Wind Energy and Turbulence Lab at the University of Utah. His research group studies the impacts of wind turbines on the dynamics of the atmospheric boundary layer (first kilometer of the atmosphere) and works to develop new parameterizations and models to better reproduce the interaction between the land-surface and atmospheric flow and to be used in numerical weather prediction models.

Photo of Julia Carleton

Julia Carleton

Julia Carleton works with Dr. Jay Gertz at the University of Utah. She is developing new technologies to study the 'dark matter' of the human genome that does not contain genes. She is using these tools to identify the switches that control genes and determine how these bits of DNA may contribute to cancer. Julia enjoys Utah's natural beauty through hiking, skiing, and canyoneering.Read More

Julia Carleton works with Dr. Jay Gertz at the University of Utah. She is developing new technologies to study the ‘dark matter’ of the human genome that does not contain genes. She is using these tools to identify the switches that control genes and determine how these bits of DNA may contribute to cancer.

Julia enjoys Utah’s natural beauty through hiking, skiing, and canyoneering.

Photo of Krista Carlson

Krista Carlson

Krista Carlson works with glass technologies including aerogels and waste containment techniques. Her focus trends towards the development of solutions to environmental problems including pollution and contaminated drinking water.Read More

Krista Carlson works with glass technologies including aerogels and waste containment techniques. Her focus trends towards the development of solutions to environmental problems including pollution and contaminated drinking water.

Photo of Mark Chynoweth

Mark Chynoweth

Mark Chynoweth works in Dr. Çağan Şekercioğlu’s laboratory at the University of Utah. Mark is most broadly interested in working with geospatial data to address applied ecological questions across a variety of scales. Currently, he is studying large carnivore ecology and conservation in human dominated landscapes. With a variety of methods, Mark is investigating how carnivores move across a modified landscape and use anthropogenic resources to survive.…Read More

Mark Chynoweth works in Dr. Çağan Şekercioğlu’s laboratory at the University of Utah. Mark is most broadly interested in working with geospatial data to address applied ecological questions across a variety of scales. Currently, he is studying large carnivore ecology and conservation in human dominated landscapes. With a variety of methods, Mark is investigating how carnivores move across a modified landscape and use anthropogenic resources to survive. He hopes that his research will be used to guide conservation and management of carnivore species and protection of biodiversity at the ecosystem level.
Mark enjoys exploring the outdoors on foot, bikes or skis, playing music, and traveling to new places.

Photo of Bob Cieri

Bob Cieri

Bob Cieri works in Dr. Colleen Farmer's lab at the University of Utah. He is interested in the evolution of breathing in reptiles and birds. His current research uses computational fluid dynamics, x-ray videos, and traditional physiology techniques to explore unidirectional lung airflow in monitor lizards. Finding out why different animal lineages developed distinct organ systems and types of breathing will help us understand what kind of evolutionary pressures led to the amazing diversity of organismal life we enjoy today.…Read More

Bob Cieri works in Dr. Colleen Farmer’s lab at the University of Utah. He is interested in the evolution of breathing in reptiles and birds. His current research uses computational fluid dynamics, x-ray videos, and traditional physiology techniques to explore unidirectional lung airflow in monitor lizards. Finding out why different animal lineages developed distinct organ systems and types of breathing will help us understand what kind of evolutionary pressures led to the amazing diversity of organismal life we enjoy today. Past research examined the sudden development of modern behavior in humans around 50,000 BCE.
Bob is striving for a career that combines research, teaching, and science communication to explore how the natural world works. Passionate about opening science to underrepresented groups, Bob works on the Touch Science project, which builds traveling science toolboxes for visually impaired students.

Bob loves to travel, learn about history, and explore Utah’s incredible deserts and mountains.

https://formsmostwonderful.com/science-touch/

Photo of Hanna Clements

Hanna Clements

Hanna made her way to the Chemistry Department at the University of Utah after finishing her Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry at Gonzaga University. Although she misses the Pacific Northwest, she has fallen in love with the Wasatch range and looks forward to exploring it further on her skis, bike, and with her climbing rope. While she’s not adventuring, Hanna works in Dr.…Read More

Hanna made her way to the Chemistry Department at the University of Utah after finishing her Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry at Gonzaga University. Although she misses the Pacific Northwest, she has fallen in love with the Wasatch range and looks forward to exploring it further on her skis, bike, and with her climbing rope. While she’s not adventuring, Hanna works in Dr. Matt Sigman’s research group where she is developing predictive and mechanistically insightful models of biocatalyst specificity. Hanna is deeply interested in and inspired by the exquisite efficiency of Nature’s chemical mediators, and hopes that they can be manipulated to solve many longstanding chemical and societal obstacles.

Hanna also loves to cook, craft, read, and garden.

Photo of Kelsey Cone

Kelsey Cone

Kelsey Cone works in Dr. Nels Elde’s lab at the University of Utah where she investigates host-pathogen evolution. Specifically, she studies how poxviruses adapt to host immune defenses, uncovering new aspects of poxvirus biology and genome evolution. Her work combines molecular biology, genetics, and evolution to understand how viruses function and evolve. Kelsey loves backpacking, snowboarding, and hiking with her friends and her dog.…Read More

Kelsey Cone works in Dr. Nels Elde’s lab at the University of Utah where she investigates host-pathogen evolution. Specifically, she studies how poxviruses adapt to host immune defenses, uncovering new aspects of poxvirus biology and genome evolution. Her work combines molecular biology, genetics, and evolution to understand how viruses function and evolve.
Kelsey loves backpacking, snowboarding, and hiking with her friends and her dog. She also enjoys travel, puzzles, and board games.

Photo of Amanda Cooper

Amanda Cooper

Amanda Cooper works in Dr. David Carrier’s lab at the University of Utah where she studies evolutionary morphology. Amanda’s focus is centered on functional morphology and the complex anatomy of vertebrates. She is interested in the evolutionary origins of dominance and aggression.Read More

Amanda Cooper works in Dr. David Carrier’s lab at the University of Utah where she studies evolutionary morphology. Amanda’s focus is centered on functional morphology and the complex anatomy of vertebrates. She is interested in the evolutionary origins of dominance and aggression.

Photo of Kendahl Darschewski

Kendahl Darschewski

Kendahl Darschewski is a Ph.D. student working with Dr. Ryan Looper in the Chemistry Department at the University of Utah. She is working towards the total synthesis of a natural product that has interesting biological activity and hopes to be able to further explore its biology once the synthesis is complete. Kendahl is from Arizona and received degrees in Chemistry and Biomedical Science from Northern Arizona University.…

Read More

Kendahl Darschewski is a Ph.D. student working with Dr. Ryan Looper in the Chemistry Department at the University of Utah. She is working towards the total synthesis of a natural product that has interesting biological activity and hopes to be able to further explore its biology once the synthesis is complete. Kendahl is from Arizona and received degrees in Chemistry and Biomedical Science from Northern Arizona University. When she’s not in the lab, Kendahl enjoys hot yoga, paddle boarding, attending concerts, and exploring new restaurants with friends.