E-Nouncements - October 2024

Dr. Bridget Chalifour

Genomics Scientist at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Ph.D., University of Colorado – Ecology and Evolutionary Biology    
B.S., University of Florida

Date: October 18th
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Location: Denver Campus – North Classroom, Room 1604

Dr. Bridget Chalifour is the Genomics Scientist at DMNS. She grew up in Orlando, Florida and developed a passion for ecology by exploring tide pools and salt marshes on the East Coast. She completed her B.S. in Environmental Science at the University of Florida in 2017 and earned her Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado Boulder in 2022. Now, Bridget conducts research leveraging ‘omics technology across human and non-human systems utilizing DMNS’ extensive collection of DNA, frozen tissues, and specimens.

More information coming soon!

Karina Li, a Master’s student in Dr. Tomback’s lab, presented a poster at the 16th Biennial Scientific Conference on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). The conference was held in early September in Big Sky, Montana and brought together scientists, land managers, NGOs, and many other stakeholders to share research and increase partnership across the GYE. Karina’s poster complemented an oral presentation given by Dr. Tomback on Clark’s nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) monitoring in Yellowstone National Park. The poster detailed the statistical methods used to address location error in home range estimation of Argos satellite-tagged birds. In addition to Karina, first author, co-authors included Dr. Tomback and Dr. Nels Grevstad of Metropolitan State University of Denver. This research aims to inform the mutualistic relationship between Clark's nutcracker and whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis), a conifer species of ecological importance that is currently in decline across its range.

Dr. Leo Bruederle (Professor Emeritus), Audrey Spencer (PhD Candidate), and Nick Bard (MS, 2018) recently published a natural history note in the Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society documenting a notable collection of Carex scirpoidea, the Canadian single-spike sedge, that was made in 1884 by Joachim Heinrich Schuette from Brown Co., Wisconsin, USA. This accession is the first and only known record of this now extirpated species from the state.

On September 20-22, The 2024 Guild of Rocky Mountain Ecologists and Evolutionary Biologists (GREEBs) meeting wasa held at the Mountain Research Station. The Integrative Biology Department was represented by grad students Ash Kerber, Meredith Prentice, Audrey Spencer, Martha Young, Claire Parsons, and Fayelynn Scheideman. Ash Kerber also presented introductory information for her Master's thesis.

GREEBs is the progeny of the Guild of Rocky Mountain Population Biologists (GRMPBs) meeting, which started over 40 years ago. GREEBs is an opportunity for researchers to get together and share results and ideas with scientists who primarily work and /or live in the Rockies.

On September 30th, Ph.D. Student Sarah Nalley and Dr. Mike Moore published a natural history note, Aggregate Mating Behavior of Sympetrum Dragonflies in Colorado and Wyoming Wildfire Perimeters, in The Southwestern Naturalist journal.

The Department of Integrative Biology is happy to share the availability of two certificates, led by Integrative Biology faculty member and microbiologist, Dr. Timberley Roane (Timberley.Roane@ucdenver.edu), that provide the training needed for careers as tribal liaisons.  Tribal liaisons are individuals who work on behalf of Native and Indigenous communities within governmental and non-governmental agencies.  Both certificates focus on environmental work, including research, stewardship, policy and representation, and can help with qualifying for liaison-based jobs.  Both certificates focus on:

• Tribal governance and non-tribal relations
• Cultural engagement and participatory decision-making
• Indigenous cultural responsiveness and positionality
• Communication, mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution
• Liaison skills (writing, presenting, research methodologies)

The Environmental Stewardship of Indigenous Lands (ESIL) Certificate (Environmental Stewardship of Indigenous Lands | CU Denver College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (ucdenver.edu) is a for-credit certificate providing training for students interested in environmental liaison work for or with tribal communities.  As a for-credit certificate, ESIL complements academic degrees and trainings.  Individuals participating in the ESIL Certificate can be current undergraduate, graduate, or post-baccalaureate students at any institution but may require students to temporarily  locate in the Denver metro area for completion of the Certificate requirements.

The Native Food, Energy, Water Systems (FEWS) Certificate (Native Food, Energy, Water Systems Certificate | CU Denver College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (ucdenver.edu) is a continuing and professional education certificate providing training for individuals (students and non-students) interested in environmental liaison work for or with tribal communities.  As a non-credit certificate, Native FEWS is open to any individual, including CU Denver students, regardless of academic and experiential backgrounds.  The Native FEWS Certificate works with individuals in developing a personalized plan that focuses on place-based training opportunities.

Talk with Dr. Roane for more information!

Hiring for undergraduate positions - Teaching Assistants for lab sections and Graders - will begin soon for Spring 2025! Please stay tuned for a separate announcement to apply.

10/9: Undergrad Research Drop-ins-LynxConnect

Have questions about undergraduate research and creative activities at CU Denver? Come by LynxConnect to chat with an URCA advisor in-person every Wednesday from 11-1! No reservation needed. Email undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu or call 303-315-400 with questions.

10/9: LRPC Faculty Meeting

The Latino Research and Policy Center (LRPC) invites CU Denver Latinx identifying faculty and faculty interested in research in Latinx communities to attend our monthly LRPC Faculty Meetings. The LRPC seeks to bring faculty from across colleges and disciplines to discuss the future of the LRPC and shape the research agenda for the Center.

10/9: Council of Asian Student Leaders – Cultural Identity and Leadership

Uncover the Influence of Your Cultural Identity on Leadership! Explore the dynamic relationship between your cultural heritage and leadership style through our interactive session. We’ll tackle challenging topics like the model minority stereotype and strategies for overcoming fear of failure. Through immersive activities, gain the confidence to lead with authenticity and challenge limiting beliefs. Embark on a transformative journey to emerge as a resilient and culturally empowered leader.  Light dinner will be provided.

10/9, 10/16, 10/19: The Body Project

This student-led program helps women and femme students challenge beauty standards, boost self-esteem, and make new friends while building confidence with like-minded peers.  In two 2-hour sessions, this 4-hour workshop helps individuals, resist cultural pressures, reclaim one’s time, build confidence and body satisfaction. Email jill.rubin@ucdenver.edu for questions about The Body Project for yourself or your organization.

10/10: Displaced Aurarian Scholarship- DAS Mixer

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, join us for a Displaced Aurarian Scholarship Mixer! This mixer is open to any DAS recipient at CU Denver, Displaced Aurarian family members, and CU Denver Displaced Aurarian alumni. DAS provides tuition and fees FOR students who were residents or whose guardians were residents of the Auraria neighborhood between 1955 and 1973. The scholarship is available in perpetuity to descendants of these residents.

10/10: Pizza with a Professor

Join professors for free pizza (while supplies last!) and conversation about their research and ways students can get involved in researching as undergraduate students!

10/11: 2024 Election Reminder | Colorado Ballot Mailing Start

Today is the first day that Colorado ballots for the 2024 General Election may be mailed to voters.

10/11: Undergrad Research Virtual Drop-ins

Have questions about undergraduate research and creative activities at CU Denver? Hop on a Zoom call to chat with an URCA advisor every Friday from 1:00-3:00! No reservation needed. Email undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu or call 303-315-400 with questions.

10/14-15: Love Your Library! Student Discovery Days

The Auraria Library celebrates its extraordinary service and impact with two Love Your Library! events for our community! Join us for two days of snacks and activities, and learn more about the Auraria Library.

10/15: 2024 Election Reminder | Last Day to Register To Vote in Colorado at a Drive

Today is the last day to submit a Colorado application to register to vote in the 2024 General Election through a voter registration drive. October 28, 2024, is the last day for an individual to submit a Colorado voter registration application and still receive a ballot in the mail for the 2024 General Election. Individuals can register to vote in Colorado in-person at a polling station as late as election day, Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

10/15: Cybersecurity Roundtable: Phishing, AI and Protecting Your Data

10/16: Undergrad Research Drop-ins-LynxConnect

Have questions about undergraduate research and creative activities at CU Denver? Come by LynxConnect to chat with an URCA advisor in-person every Wednesday from 11-1! No reservation needed. Email undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu or call 303-315-400 with questions.

10/17: Love Your Library! community reception

It’s your library, too! Raise a glass (and a fork) at this Community Reception, and get to know Auraria Library people, services, and resources here to assist you and your students all year long. For faculty, staff, alumni, and community members.

10/17: 2024 Accelerating Diversity Job Fair

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, SHHRP and its partners are leveraging our extensive networks to bring hundreds of job opportunities to Metro Denver job seekers. We’re committed to closing the gap between diverse candidates seeking new opportunities and Metro-Denver’s top employers looking to expand their recruitment pool with diverse talent.

10/18: Undergrad Research Virtual Drop-ins

Have questions about undergraduate research and creative activities at CU Denver? Hop on a Zoom call to chat with an URCA advisor every Friday from 1:00-3:00! No reservation needed. Email undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu or call 303-315-400 with questions.

10/21: 2024 Election Reminder | Colorado Ballot Drop Boxes Open

Today is the first day county Drop Boxes must be open to accept mail ballots in Colorado for the 2024 General Election. There is a Drop Box on the Auraria Campus by the Tivoli Student Union Starbucks outdoor patio anytime or they can be submitted at a polling station, including the one in the Tivoli Student Union Multicultural Lounge, Room 261 on Tuesday, Nov. 5. This is also the first day that drop-off location located on federal reservation at the request of the Tribal Council must be open to accept mail ballots for the 2024 General Election.

10/23: Undergrad Research Drop-ins-LynxConnect

Have questions about undergraduate research and creative activities at CU Denver? Come by LynxConnect to chat with an URCA advisor in-person every Wednesday from 11-1! No reservation needed. Email undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu or call 303-315-400 with questions.

10/25: Undergrad Research Virtual Drop-ins

Have questions about undergraduate research and creative activities at CU Denver? Hop on a Zoom call to chat with an URCA advisor every Friday from 1:00-3:00! No reservation needed. Email undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu or call 303-315-400 with questions.

10/28: 2024 Election Reminder | Last Day to Register For Mail Voting in Colorado

Today is the last day for an individual to submit a Colorado voter registration application and still receive a ballot in the mail for the 2024 General Election. Individuals can register to vote in Colorado in-person at a polling station as late as election day, Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

10/30: Undergrad Research Drop-ins-LynxConnect

Have questions about undergraduate research and creative activities at CU Denver? Come by LynxConnect to chat with an URCA advisor in-person every Wednesday from 11-1! No reservation needed. Email undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu or call 303-315-400 with questions.

10/30: Día de los Muertos Celebration

Join us for our annual Tri-Institutional Día de los Muertos celebration! We will honor and celebrate our ancestors through food, music, altars, and activities.