Martha Calvert
Title: Sensory Manager
Specialty: Sensory Science
Geography: CSU Spur
Spotlight: Martha Calvert is the new Sensory Manager at CSU Spur, where she will lead sensory testing services to support regional food producers as well as sensory research projects to support CSU researchers. Martha is passionate about teaching small- and medium-size agricultural producers about how sensory testing can support their business goals and be leveraged as a marketing tool. Martha recently earned her Ph.D. in Food Science at Virginia Tech, and previously earned degrees from North Carolina State University in both Food Science and Nutrition Science. After having worked in the hard cider, apple agriculture, and alcoholic beverage space throughout her Ph.D., she hopes to continue investing in value-added and artisan agricultural systems and to continue her work in understanding the consumer-producer battle from a sensory science angle.
Specialty: Sensory Science
Geography: CSU Spur
Spotlight: Martha Calvert is the new Sensory Manager at CSU Spur, where she will lead sensory testing services to support regional food producers as well as sensory research projects to support CSU researchers. Martha is passionate about teaching small- and medium-size agricultural producers about how sensory testing can support their business goals and be leveraged as a marketing tool. Martha recently earned her Ph.D. in Food Science at Virginia Tech, and previously earned degrees from North Carolina State University in both Food Science and Nutrition Science. After having worked in the hard cider, apple agriculture, and alcoholic beverage space throughout her Ph.D., she hopes to continue investing in value-added and artisan agricultural systems and to continue her work in understanding the consumer-producer battle from a sensory science angle.
Mike Gabel
Title: Director, Food Innovation Center
Specialty: New Product Development
Geography: CSU Spur
Spotlight: Mike leads the Food Innovation Center with the goal is to support food innovators through value-added services, kitchen and processing facilities and the creation of a space where ideas can prosper. Mike is a second-generation CSU grad in Food Science and Human Nutrition. After a master’s in food engineering from UC Davis he started his 20+ year career with roles in product development, quality systems, and strategy and portfolio management. He has lead innovation teams at Windsor Foods, ConAgra Foods and recently at Barilla, where he spent 5 years at their HQ in Parma, Italy.
Specialty: New Product Development
Geography: CSU Spur
Spotlight: Mike leads the Food Innovation Center with the goal is to support food innovators through value-added services, kitchen and processing facilities and the creation of a space where ideas can prosper. Mike is a second-generation CSU grad in Food Science and Human Nutrition. After a master’s in food engineering from UC Davis he started his 20+ year career with roles in product development, quality systems, and strategy and portfolio management. He has lead innovation teams at Windsor Foods, ConAgra Foods and recently at Barilla, where he spent 5 years at their HQ in Parma, Italy.
Jennifer Martin
Title: Associate Professor and Meat Extension Specialist
Specialty: Meat Quality, Meat Safety, By-Products and Pet Food
Geography: CSU Fort Collins
Dr. Jennifer Martin is an Associate Professor in Meat Safety and Quality and Meat Extension Specialist in the Department of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University. In 2022, Jennifer was named a Presidential Leadership Fellow and currently spends part of her time assisting in strategic initiatives from the President’s Office. She is originally from Central Texas and received her M.S. (2010) and Ph.D. (2014) from Texas Tech University before joining the Colorado State University faculty in the Spring of 2015. Jennifer has an active research program focused on the quality and safety of meat and related products. Her program seeks to explore opportunities and the development of solutions with and for industry partners. In addition to research, Jennifer works closely with meat and livestock industry members across Colorado and the nation. Notably, she is the coordinator of the Pet Food Alliance, a collaborative industry organization focused on exploring solutions for the pet food and rendering industries. She also serves as the co-leader for the Upskilling Initiative, a workforce development and innovative educational program within the College of Agricultural Sciences which seeks to provide novel career pathways for the agri-food industries. She also plays an active role in on-campus programs, including the Provost’s Council for Engagement, Faculty Council, and numerous Department and University committees. In addition to her University work, Jennifer is actively involved in numerous livestock organizations across the country
Specialty: Meat Quality, Meat Safety, By-Products and Pet Food
Geography: CSU Fort Collins
Dr. Jennifer Martin is an Associate Professor in Meat Safety and Quality and Meat Extension Specialist in the Department of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University. In 2022, Jennifer was named a Presidential Leadership Fellow and currently spends part of her time assisting in strategic initiatives from the President’s Office. She is originally from Central Texas and received her M.S. (2010) and Ph.D. (2014) from Texas Tech University before joining the Colorado State University faculty in the Spring of 2015. Jennifer has an active research program focused on the quality and safety of meat and related products. Her program seeks to explore opportunities and the development of solutions with and for industry partners. In addition to research, Jennifer works closely with meat and livestock industry members across Colorado and the nation. Notably, she is the coordinator of the Pet Food Alliance, a collaborative industry organization focused on exploring solutions for the pet food and rendering industries. She also serves as the co-leader for the Upskilling Initiative, a workforce development and innovative educational program within the College of Agricultural Sciences which seeks to provide novel career pathways for the agri-food industries. She also plays an active role in on-campus programs, including the Provost’s Council for Engagement, Faculty Council, and numerous Department and University committees. In addition to her University work, Jennifer is actively involved in numerous livestock organizations across the country
Jeff Engell
Title: Regional Specialist
Specialty: Economic Development
Geography: Western Region
Jeff joined CSU Extension in June 2023 as a Western Region Specialist. He brings to his role a diverse background in private sector consultancy and public sector engagement.
Following undergrad at CSU, and a brief period in private banking, Jeff moved overseas to complete a master’s in economics at Lund University in Sweden. Wishing to stay abroad following graduation, he went on to China to teach economics and finance in Beijing. After four years in the classroom, Jeff started his own consultancy and relocated to Turkey, engaging domestic and foreign partners in building entrepreneurial capacity throughout the country and region. These efforts led to further opportunity to work on long-term multilateral development projects in North and East Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Moving back to his home state of Colorado at the start of the pandemic, Jeff joined the Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC), first as a consultant in Eastern Colorado and more recently as the Director of a center in Western Colorado.
Specialty: Economic Development
Geography: Western Region
Jeff joined CSU Extension in June 2023 as a Western Region Specialist. He brings to his role a diverse background in private sector consultancy and public sector engagement.
Following undergrad at CSU, and a brief period in private banking, Jeff moved overseas to complete a master’s in economics at Lund University in Sweden. Wishing to stay abroad following graduation, he went on to China to teach economics and finance in Beijing. After four years in the classroom, Jeff started his own consultancy and relocated to Turkey, engaging domestic and foreign partners in building entrepreneurial capacity throughout the country and region. These efforts led to further opportunity to work on long-term multilateral development projects in North and East Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Moving back to his home state of Colorado at the start of the pandemic, Jeff joined the Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC), first as a consultant in Eastern Colorado and more recently as the Director of a center in Western Colorado.
Maggie Switzer
Title: Farmers Market and Food Systems Coordinator
Geography: Larimer County
Maggie has a Masters in Public Health from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. She has previous experience in different areas of food systems, including food access, farmers markets, nutrition education, food waste and local sustainable agriculture. In her current role she is focused on managing the Larimer County Farmers’ Market, as well as addressing barriers faced by local producers related to commercial markets. Maggie also is an advocate for food access, especially local and healthy food purchasing.
Geography: Larimer County
Maggie has a Masters in Public Health from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. She has previous experience in different areas of food systems, including food access, farmers markets, nutrition education, food waste and local sustainable agriculture. In her current role she is focused on managing the Larimer County Farmers’ Market, as well as addressing barriers faced by local producers related to commercial markets. Maggie also is an advocate for food access, especially local and healthy food purchasing.
Emily Lockard
Title: Director and County Agriculture Specialist
Geography: Montezuma County
Emily Lockard has worked for CSU Extension in Montezuma County since 2022. Previously she worked at the Southwestern Colorado Research Center in Yellow Jacket, CO; Montana State University Extension in Gallatin County, MT; and CSU Extension in Pueblo County, CO.
Geography: Montezuma County
Emily Lockard has worked for CSU Extension in Montezuma County since 2022. Previously she worked at the Southwestern Colorado Research Center in Yellow Jacket, CO; Montana State University Extension in Gallatin County, MT; and CSU Extension in Pueblo County, CO.
Jessica Callen
Title: Ag and Natural Resource Specialist
Geography: Larimer County
Spotlight: Jess has a Masters in Soil and Crop Science from Colorado State University where her graduate research focused on soil health in ecosystems across Colorado. In her current role she focuses on addressing the challenges of local producers by working with CSU, the county, and local organizations to create events and resources. She is the champion of the soil health action for Larimer County’s Climate Smart Future Ready Initiative where her main goal is to help producers increase their soil health practices across the county.
Geography: Larimer County
Spotlight: Jess has a Masters in Soil and Crop Science from Colorado State University where her graduate research focused on soil health in ecosystems across Colorado. In her current role she focuses on addressing the challenges of local producers by working with CSU, the county, and local organizations to create events and resources. She is the champion of the soil health action for Larimer County’s Climate Smart Future Ready Initiative where her main goal is to help producers increase their soil health practices across the county.
Katie Alexander
Title: Agriculture Marketing and Small Acreage Management
Geography: Western Region
Geography: Western Region
Jayna Mallon
MS Student, Colorado State University
Department of Ag and Resource Economics
Department of Ag and Resource Economics
Jayna is a master’s student in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at Colorado State University. Prior to joining CSU, she studied Economics and Public Policy at the University of Virginia. After graduating, she completed an AmeriCorps service term with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, where she worked on a USDA 2501 grant project which aimed to support beginner and underinvested farmers and ranchers. Jayna helps with the evaluation and reporting of the Northwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center in her role as a Graduate Research Assistant at CSU. Jayna plans to focus her master’s research on regional food systems and development, with an emphasis on supporting small and mid-sized agriculture, seeking to foster equitable growth and advance sustainable practices.
Charlene Van Buiten
Assistant Professor
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Harper Sage Pettit
Title: County Extension Director and FCS Specialist
Specialty: Interpersonal Relationships, Finance, Program Evaluation
Geography: Lake County
Spotlight: Harper is the County Extension Director and Family and Consumer Science Specialist for Lake County.
Specialty: Interpersonal Relationships, Finance, Program Evaluation
Geography: Lake County
Spotlight: Harper is the County Extension Director and Family and Consumer Science Specialist for Lake County.
Emma Dhimitri
Title: County Extension Specialist
Specialty: Community Health, Wellness, Nutrition & Outdoor Education
Geography: Boulder County
Spotlight: Emma is our CSU Extension Community Health Specialist in Boulder County. She has a BS in Nutritional Science and Public Policy from Cornell University. Prior to joining CSU Extension, Emma worked as a nutrition education program coordinator for Cornell Cooperative Extension in New York City and a Nutrition Education Research Assistant at Cornell University. Additionally, Emma worked as a Health Care Policy Research Specialist at RTI International. Emma is passionate about creating collaborative community relationships and promoting culturally competent programming in Colorado to address the health and wellness needs for underserved Coloradans of all ages. In her free time, Emma spends time outdoors rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking and exploring all that Colorado has to offer.
Specialty: Community Health, Wellness, Nutrition & Outdoor Education
Geography: Boulder County
Spotlight: Emma is our CSU Extension Community Health Specialist in Boulder County. She has a BS in Nutritional Science and Public Policy from Cornell University. Prior to joining CSU Extension, Emma worked as a nutrition education program coordinator for Cornell Cooperative Extension in New York City and a Nutrition Education Research Assistant at Cornell University. Additionally, Emma worked as a Health Care Policy Research Specialist at RTI International. Emma is passionate about creating collaborative community relationships and promoting culturally competent programming in Colorado to address the health and wellness needs for underserved Coloradans of all ages. In her free time, Emma spends time outdoors rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking and exploring all that Colorado has to offer.
Michaela Mattes
Title: Area Extension Agent
Specialty: Agronomy/Cropping System
Geography: Prowers County, Southern Region
Spotlight: I am the agronomy Extension agent for the Southeast Area of Colorado and my office is in Lamar, CO. I have a masters in Soil Science from New Mexico State University and a masters inn Extension Education. The majority of my work includes wheat variety trials, sunflowers, corn sorghum, but also some vegetables grown in a greenhouse. I am also part of a research project looking into cowpeas grown for forage and hay.
Specialty: Agronomy/Cropping System
Geography: Prowers County, Southern Region
Spotlight: I am the agronomy Extension agent for the Southeast Area of Colorado and my office is in Lamar, CO. I have a masters in Soil Science from New Mexico State University and a masters inn Extension Education. The majority of my work includes wheat variety trials, sunflowers, corn sorghum, but also some vegetables grown in a greenhouse. I am also part of a research project looking into cowpeas grown for forage and hay.
Beth De Lair
delairb@pueblocounty.us
Title: Extension Coordinator
Specialty: Agriculture & Natural Resources
Geography: Pueblo County
Spotlight: My name is Beth De Lair, and I am the Pueblo County Agriculture & Natural Resource Coordinator. Pueblo is a unique mix of traditional and urban agriculture that spans from portions of the mountains, to desert areas and then onto the plains as our county moves east. I specialize in putting on programs that focus on agriculture on a local scale, assisting in plant identification, range management, community animal response team (C.A.R.T) education and hands-on small acreage livestock classes. I work closely with the Pueblo County Beekeepers Association and the Pueblo County Stockmen’s Association. I strive to reach people in all ages and stages of their lives to help them understand the benefits of keeping agriculture alive in my community.
Title: Extension Coordinator
Specialty: Agriculture & Natural Resources
Geography: Pueblo County
Spotlight: My name is Beth De Lair, and I am the Pueblo County Agriculture & Natural Resource Coordinator. Pueblo is a unique mix of traditional and urban agriculture that spans from portions of the mountains, to desert areas and then onto the plains as our county moves east. I specialize in putting on programs that focus on agriculture on a local scale, assisting in plant identification, range management, community animal response team (C.A.R.T) education and hands-on small acreage livestock classes. I work closely with the Pueblo County Beekeepers Association and the Pueblo County Stockmen’s Association. I strive to reach people in all ages and stages of their lives to help them understand the benefits of keeping agriculture alive in my community.
Todd Ballard
Title: Area Extension Specialist
Specialty: Agronomy
Geography: Tri-River Area
Spotlight: Todd has worked for CSU Extension for three years. He has experience in crop production at many scales from hobby farm to multinational corporate food production.
Specialty: Agronomy
Geography: Tri-River Area
Spotlight: Todd has worked for CSU Extension for three years. He has experience in crop production at many scales from hobby farm to multinational corporate food production.
Kristi Bartolo
Title: Extension Agent
Specialty: Agronomy
Geography: Pueblo County
Specialty: Agronomy
Geography: Pueblo County
Abby Weber
Title: Extension Specialist
Specialty: Family Consumer Science
Geography: Southeast Area
Spotlight: My name is Abby Weber, and I am the Southeast Area Family and Consumer Science Specialist for 7 counties in the Southeast Region. Agriculture is the major commodity in our small rural communities here on the plains, and with that comes the need for local community sustainability in our food systems. Programs like Cottage Food Safety Training program, Master Food Safety Advisor, Food preservation workshops, and cooking with commodities are just a few of the things we do to help make this possible. Participants of all ages learn about impact from the time they are producing their commodity to the time it is being consumed through these programming efforts.
Specialty: Family Consumer Science
Geography: Southeast Area
Spotlight: My name is Abby Weber, and I am the Southeast Area Family and Consumer Science Specialist for 7 counties in the Southeast Region. Agriculture is the major commodity in our small rural communities here on the plains, and with that comes the need for local community sustainability in our food systems. Programs like Cottage Food Safety Training program, Master Food Safety Advisor, Food preservation workshops, and cooking with commodities are just a few of the things we do to help make this possible. Participants of all ages learn about impact from the time they are producing their commodity to the time it is being consumed through these programming efforts.
John Ritten
Agricultural Economist and Extension Specialist
AgNext
AgNext
Sionegael Ikeme
Ph.D. Student
Dept. of Ag and Resource Economics
Dept. of Ag and Resource Economics
Sionegael Ikeme is a half-French, half-Japanese, first-year Ph.D. student in the department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. She completed a bachelor’s and a master’s in Agricultural Engineering at L’institut Agro in France (also known as Agrocampus Ouest). Additionally, she received a MS in Applied Economics from Korea University, where her masters thesis analyzed the effect of EU membership on the agricultural sector of Baltic countries. She previously worked on price discovery as a research intern in the Economic Department of the French National Research Institute for Agriculture and Environment. Her current research interests involve food systems, industrial organization, market access, agribusiness, and marketing.
Derek Lowstuter
Title: Agriculture and Food Systems Regional Specialist
Specialty: Food/Agriculture, Forestry
Geography: Mountain Region
Spotlight: Derek works to foster thriving communities and support food and agriculture production in Colorado’s mountain region, which includes 13 counties stretching from Jackson County in the north to Custer County in the south. Derek is excited to be back in Colorado where his interests in food, natural resource management, and human well-being first developed. His work focuses on specialty crop production, watershed protection, and soil health. Derek creates and curates resources for the Colorado – Biochar Use Resource Network (CO-BURN). He works extensively on the intersection of forestry and food production – including soilless growing media and biochar production and use.
Derek earned his M.S. in Forest Sciences from Colorado State University and is currently enrolled in the Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change Ph.D. program at CSU Spur.
Specialty: Food/Agriculture, Forestry
Geography: Mountain Region
Spotlight: Derek works to foster thriving communities and support food and agriculture production in Colorado’s mountain region, which includes 13 counties stretching from Jackson County in the north to Custer County in the south. Derek is excited to be back in Colorado where his interests in food, natural resource management, and human well-being first developed. His work focuses on specialty crop production, watershed protection, and soil health. Derek creates and curates resources for the Colorado – Biochar Use Resource Network (CO-BURN). He works extensively on the intersection of forestry and food production – including soilless growing media and biochar production and use.
Derek earned his M.S. in Forest Sciences from Colorado State University and is currently enrolled in the Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change Ph.D. program at CSU Spur.
Stephen Lauer
Title: Rural Regional Specialist
Specialty: Food and Agriculture
Geography: Southern Region
Spotlight: Stephen Lauer is a regional specialist for the CSU Extension Rural Initiative supporting thriving communities and food and agriculture in Colorado’s southern region. Stephen works with community members and county, area, and regional extension specialists on community engagement, relationship building, and expanded programming in southern Colorado.
Stephen’s professional experience includes helping communities in Kansas and Iowa manage groundwater, alleviate food insecurity, and expand and sustain civic engagement. He has a PhD in sociology from Kansas State University, and masters degrees in sustainable agriculture and community and regional planning from Iowa State University.
Specialty: Food and Agriculture
Geography: Southern Region
Spotlight: Stephen Lauer is a regional specialist for the CSU Extension Rural Initiative supporting thriving communities and food and agriculture in Colorado’s southern region. Stephen works with community members and county, area, and regional extension specialists on community engagement, relationship building, and expanded programming in southern Colorado.
Stephen’s professional experience includes helping communities in Kansas and Iowa manage groundwater, alleviate food insecurity, and expand and sustain civic engagement. He has a PhD in sociology from Kansas State University, and masters degrees in sustainable agriculture and community and regional planning from Iowa State University.
Jorge Coronel-Bautista
M.S. Student
Dept. of Ag and Resource Economics
Dept. of Ag and Resource Economics
I’m a first-year master’s student in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at CSU. I’m originally from Santa Maria, California which is known for its strawberry growing operations and an indigenous farm labor force. My parents are originally from Oaxaca, Mexico and have been working as strawberry harvesters in Santa Maria, which is where I got my start in agriculture. My current research interests lie in farm labor, farmworker welfare and human capital. My research interests explore the determinants of socioeconomic mobility among farm laborers and how economic developments among the farm labor force continue to affect the agriculture sector. Additionally, I’m interested in identifying the educational, career, and economic outcomes of U.S. farmworker families.
Nicole Didero
Title: Rural Regional Specialist
Specialty: Agriculture and Food
Geography: Western Region
Spotlight: Nicole’s work is based on rural economic well-being with an emphasis on agriculture and food. She works in the Western Region and lives in Delta County. Nicole’s background is in small-scale agricultural production, natural resources, and local/regional food systems development. She loves to get to support on topics around moving produce from the farm/ranch to the consumer, marketing, community economic development, building community, and produce safety. She also loves learning, teaching, and socializing in Spanish. Having grown up in rural communities throughout the US West, Nicole is especially excited to dive in and help support rural voices in Colorado.
Specialty: Agriculture and Food
Geography: Western Region
Spotlight: Nicole’s work is based on rural economic well-being with an emphasis on agriculture and food. She works in the Western Region and lives in Delta County. Nicole’s background is in small-scale agricultural production, natural resources, and local/regional food systems development. She loves to get to support on topics around moving produce from the farm/ranch to the consumer, marketing, community economic development, building community, and produce safety. She also loves learning, teaching, and socializing in Spanish. Having grown up in rural communities throughout the US West, Nicole is especially excited to dive in and help support rural voices in Colorado.
Alyssa Johnson
Ph.D. student
Department of Sociology
Department of Sociology
Alyssa is a Graduate Research Assistant for the Food Systems Institute working on the Farm to School project. She got her Master’s at the Université de Lille 1 in France in Management of European Affairs and Politics, with a focus on environmental economics. Her BA was in Sociology and Business Administration at Chico State University, California. Alyssa’s focus throughout her Ph.D. will be on the Food, Energy, Water Nexus (FEW), with an interest in the socio-environmental impact of intensive water usage and water governance in various industries (brewing and lithium extraction, for example). Alyssa worked in Bolivia with an NGO advocating for children in prison (due to their parents being imprisoned, mostly as a mule for drug traffickers) and their lack of resources (especially access to nutritious food, water, hygiene and education).
Rebecca Wasserman-Olin
Ph.D. Student
Dept. of Ag and Resource Economics
Dept. of Ag and Resource Economics
Rebecca Wasserman-Olin is a PhD student in the Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics. She received her B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and completed her M.S. at Cornell University, where she investigated consumer purchasing habits of local produce. Between her studies, she worked as a community organizer and economic researcher in Minnesota, helping farmers assess the economic impact of incorporating conservation practices into their crop rotations. She also worked as a researcher at Cornell University, supporting regional food systems in New York State. Throughout her career, she has worked on vegetable farms ranging from 1 to 25 acres, and she finds herself happiest in a pack shed.
Yue Xu
Ph.D. Student
Dept. of Sociology
Dept. of Sociology
Yue is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Sociology, who concentrates on rural sociology, development, food industry clusters, and East Asian studies.
Sonali Diddi
Associate Professor in the Department of Design and Merchandising and Engaged Faculty Lead with the Office of Engagement and Extension at CSU. Faculty affiliate with the School of Global Environmental Sustainability and research associate with Regional Economic Development Institute at CSU
Ana Altares
Ph.D. Student
Dept. of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Dept. of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Ana is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the Systems Thinking for Obesity Prevention (STOP) lab in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. She received her MS in Nutrition at CSU in 2018 and is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Her master’s thesis investigated the use of community-based participatory research among youth to promote food access in a low-income neighborhood. Ana’s current research focuses on food insecurity in high cost-of-living regions, particularly among households living above poverty and therefore, ineligible for federal food assistance like SNAP. Ana is enthusiastic about empowering communities and reimagining how food environments can make nutritious and relevant foods accessible for all. As a dietitian, Ana works with clients to promote a positive relationship with food and use it as fuel for daily activities and chronic disease prevention. She enjoys spending time outside for all 300 days of Colorado sunshine, cooking, backyard farming, and hanging out with her dogs.
Jenna Bensko
M.S., Food Science and Human Nutrition
Current Position: Research and Curriculum Project Manager at UC Boulder, for the Renee Crown Wellness Institute
Current Position: Research and Curriculum Project Manager at UC Boulder, for the Renee Crown Wellness Institute
Jenna is passionate about building a more sustainable and just food system. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Science from Cornell University, where she also spent a semester studying food security in Ecuador, Malawi, and Italy. After graduating, Jenna spent a year and a half working as a nutritionist at an HIV resource center in Boston. Moving forward, she is interested in exploring the role that nutrition/diet can play in supporting a sustainable food system, specifically in the restaurant industry. Jenna also enjoys trail running in the Colorado mountain ranges and races for the local women’s team, Front Range Elite. Outside of running she likes leisure reading with a good cup of coffee.
Annika Weber
PhD student in Food Science and Human Nutrition and part of the InterFEWs training program
Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences.
Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences.
Annika Weber is a Food Science and Human Nutrition PhD student. In her PhD, she is applying her experience in nutrition and biochemistry to research on the host associated microbiota-metabolic responses to nutrient dense foods and associated health outcomes, while also applying a broader lens at the food-energy-water nexus. Annika hopes to apply her doctoral research to an international public health agency where can continue working to find integrative food solutions to promote nutrition and health across the lifespan.
Skyler Schuck
M.S. Student
Department of Agricultural Resource and Economics
Department of Agricultural Resource and Economics
Skyler is a first-year master’s student in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. He grew up in Oregon and completed his undergraduate studies at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA with a BA in Economics and BS in Computer Information Systems. Through Skyler’s studies and experience as an IT Technician at Cal Lutheran, he discovered his passion for using data systems to provide equitable solutions. At CSU he has been able to apply this passion to real-world problems as a Graduate Research Assistant at the Regional Economic Development Institute (REDI). His current research involves conducting impact analysis for the best utilization for equitable and inclusive outcomes of Colorado’s newest State Park, Fishers Peak State Park, in Trinidad, CO. He greatly enjoys his new life in Fort Collins exploring Old Town, hiking, mountain biking, and visiting extended family.
Ming Wang
Ph.D. Student
Department of Agricultural Resource and Economics
Department of Agricultural Resource and Economics
Javier Antonanzas
Postdoctoral Fellow,
Mechanical Engineering Department
Mechanical Engineering Department
Javier Antonanzas is a postdoctoral researcher focused on sustainability studies of energy production systems. His Ph.D. work was focused on optimization models for design and operation of photovoltaic power plants. Javier did three research stays during his Ph.D. in different international centers focused on solar energy: Fraunhofer Institute in Santiago (Chile), University of Jaen (Spain) and NREL (Golden, CO). Outside of work, he spends his free time climbing and running in the mountains.
Anders Van Sandt
Current Position: Assistant Professor, University of Wyoming
Claire Sheridan
Current Position: Economic Analyst at the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, Denver CO
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
BA — International Relations/Spanish, University of British Columbia
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
BA — International Relations/Spanish, University of British Columbia
Caroline Norris
Current Position: Research Analyst for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Ellie Naasz
Current Position: Project Manager at LoCo Think Tank, Fort Collins CO
M.S. Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
M.S. Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
Abby Long
Current Position: PhD student in Agricultural Policy, University of Arkansas
Lauren Kaplan
M.A., Political Science, Colorado State University
Cynthia Kallenbach
Current Position: Assistant Professor of Natural Resource Sciences at McGill University
Armen Ghazaryan
Current Position: PhD, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University
Nicole Didero
Current Position: Contracted Economist at USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service
M.S. Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University
M.S. Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University
Libby Christensen
Current position: State Food and Agriculture Specialist, CSU Extension
Allie Bauman
Research Scientist
Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics, Colorado State University
Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics, Colorado State University
Shuiqin Yu
PhD student
Advisor: Marco Costanigro
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
M.S. Applied Economics and Statistics, University of Delaware
Advisor: Marco Costanigro
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
M.S. Applied Economics and Statistics, University of Delaware
I have been working on consumer demand and behavior since 2011. My previous research focused on consumers’ perceptions and willingness to pay on organic and conventional fruits under experimental auction setting in various food retail outlets. My current research interests includes consumer demand, implicit price dispersion, food safety, food consumption and nutrition.
Renee Oppel
Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
B.S Food Science Human Nutrition and Health Exercise Science, Colorado State University
B.S Food Science Human Nutrition and Health Exercise Science, Colorado State University
Peter Olayemi
Ph.D. Student
Department of Soil and Crop Sciences
Department of Soil and Crop Sciences
Peter Olayemi is a PhD student in the Soil and Crop Sciences Department whose goal is to elucidate specific characteristics of the soil microbiome that support farmer-centric outcomes associated with soil health. Coming from Nigeria, he sees a big opportunity in utilizing research to help feed the world’s rapidly increasing population through sustainable agriculture. His current projects include exploring the soil health benefits of a novel soil amendment from cheese production and evaluating the long term impacts of no-tillage and residue retention on soil health indicators through agronomic trials on wheat and corn.
Agustin Nunez
Ph.D. Student
Department of Soil and Crop Sciences
Advisor: Meagan Schipanski
M.S. Soil Science, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
Department of Soil and Crop Sciences
Advisor: Meagan Schipanski
M.S. Soil Science, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
Nora Jean Nealon
Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
B.S., Triple major in Veterinary Science; Biology; Nutrition; Double minor in Endocrinology and Companion Animal Studies
B.S., Triple major in Veterinary Science; Biology; Nutrition; Double minor in Endocrinology and Companion Animal Studies
Stefanie Berganini
PhD Student, Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Anthropology
MA Anthropology, Colorado State University
BA Anthropology, Portland State University
BS Psychology, Colorado State University
BFA Graphic Design, Colorado State University
Department of Anthropology
MA Anthropology, Colorado State University
BA Anthropology, Portland State University
BS Psychology, Colorado State University
BFA Graphic Design, Colorado State University
Broadly speaking, I’m a political economist and mixed-methods social scientist with a particular interest in data visualization, GIS, and agent-based modeling. My Master’s thesis focuses on homelessness in Fort Collins, examining the intersection of stigma, public policy, and homeless services. Though I’ve yet to finalize my dissertation topic, my PhD research will focus on the political economy of local food systems, likely as it relates to sustainability and/or barriers to food access.
