E-Nouncements - September 2026

Dr. James Gallagher

Postdoctoral Research Scholar, 
University of California, Davis

Date: August 28th 
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Location: Science Building 1111

The Emergence of Phenotypic Variation: From Individual Development to Evolutionary Change

Dr. Urbain Weyemi

NCI Center for Cancer Research

Date: September 4 
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Location: Science Building 1111

Targeting Redox Metabolism in Cancer

Sarah Nalley, and Dr. Mike Moore were interviewed by a reporter for The Spokesman Review in Spokan, Washington. The title of the article, "Cool Critters: They survived asteroids, but Spokane’s wildfires may put this common, showy dragonfly in distress". They discussed the effects that wildfires are having on wildlife. "But the wildfires ravaging parts of the region could challenge their survival – not because they’re perishing in flames or heavy smoke, but because their dark, signature wing patterns may cause them to overheat after the fires are extinguished, according to recent research".

Faye Scheideman, was featured in Science, "Genes of an icon. In the DNA of bison, scientists find clues to the animals’ past—and keys to safeguarding their future". Faye was quoted in the middle of the article, talking about why understanding bison/cattle introgression is complicated. We are proud of Faye's recognition in a prestigious journal.

Ali Alghamdi, advised by Dr. Diana F. Tomback, presented an oral presentation at the Ecological Society of America (ESA) 2026 Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah. The presentation, "Disturbance and Recovery: Mountain Pine Beetle-Induced Lodgepole Pine Forest Canopy Openings Provide Opportunity for Whitebark Pine Regeneration," was co-authored by Ali Alghamdi, Diana F. Tomback, and Nels Grevstad. The study examined how mountain pine beetle-caused mortality in lodgepole pine forests creates canopy openings that support natural regeneration of the federally threatened whitebark pine. The research highlights the role of natural disturbance in promoting forest recovery and provides insights that can inform conservation and restoration of high-elevation ecosystems. In addition to presenting his research, Ali served as the Student Representative for the ESA Vegetation Section, where he helped organize a quantitative community ecology course, organize a networking mixer for the vegetation ecology community, and contributed to section activities during the annual meeting.

On August, 20, Karina Li presented her master's project on home range and spatial movements of Clark's nutcrackers at the "Saving Yellowstone" Summit on Jackson Fork Ranch in Bondurant, WY.  The summit integrated research reports from graduate projects at five universities, including CU Denver, with keynotes and panel discussions featuring journalists, representatives from federal and state agencies, and CEOs of prominent non-profits, such as the Turner Endangered Species Fund and the Western Landowners Alliance.  All graduate student advisors were present and helped provide a science perspective on discussion topics.
 

Dr. Diana Tomback spoke on the subject, "Large-scale restoration of a high elevation forest species: Challenges to building resilience in whitebark pine populations to manage multiple threats". 

Dr. Gregory Ragland co-authored an article, "Genomic Predictors of Diapause Polymorphism in the Bark Beetle Ips typographus With Implications for Voltinism Potential and Outbreak Dynamics" in Molecular Ecology. Luciano Palmieri, Edwina J. Dowle, Krystyna Nadachowska-Brzyska, Axel Schopf, Nina Dobart, Christian Stauffer, Hannes Schuler, Gregory J. Ragland, Martin Schebeck. 

Dr. Alan Vajda recently co-authored the article, "PFAS Mixture Composition and Internal Exposure Profiles Shape Biological Responses under Field-Realistic Exposure" in Environmental Science & Technology. Alan M. Vajda * ; Jill A. Jenkins; David W. Bertolatus; Denis R. LeBlanc; Christopher J. Martyniuk; Zachary R. Hopkins; Andrea K. Tokranov; Abigail R. Dethloff; Joseph C. Tucker; Rainer Lohmann; Larry B. Barber.

Dr. Mike Wunder co-authored the article, "The Collective Application of Shorebird Tracking Data to Conservation".
Autumn‐Lynn Harrison, Candace Stenzel, Alexandra Anderson, Jessica Howell, Richard B. Lanctot, Marley Aikens, Joaquín Aldabe, Liam A. Berigan, Joël Bêty, Erik Blomberg, Juliana Bosi de Almeida, Andy J. Boyce, David W. Bradley, Stephen Brown, Jay Carlisle, Edward Cheskey, Katherine Christie, Sylvain Christin, Rob Clay, Ashley Dayer, Jill L. Deppe, Willow English, Scott A. Flemming, Olivier Gilg, Christine Gilroy, Susan Heath, Jason M. Hill, J. Mark Hipfner, James A. Johnson, Luanne Johnson, Bart Kempenaers, Paul Knaga, Eunbi Kwon, Benjamin J. Lagassé, Jean‐François Lamarre, Christopher Latty, Don‐Jean Léandri‐Breton, Nicolas Lecomte, Pam Loring, Laura A. McDuffie, Rebecca McGuire, Scott Moorhead, Juan G. Navedo, David Newstead, Erica Nol, Alina Olalla‐Kerstupp, Bridget Olson, Elizabeth Olson, Julie Paquet, Allison K. Pierce, Jennie Rausch, Kevin Regan, Matthew E. Reiter, Amber M. Roth, Mike Russell, Daniel Ruthrauff, Sarah T. Saalfeld, Amy L. Scarpignato, Shiloh Schulte, Nathan R. Senner, Joseph A. M. Smith, Paul A. Smith, Zach Spector, Kelly Srigley Werner, Michelle L. Stantial, Audrey R. Taylor, T. Lee Tibbitts, Mihai Valcu, Nils Warnock, Walter Wehtje, Brad Winn, Michael B. Wunder

The department is establishing a social media account on instagram and we have hired a student from the film department, Janessa Nunez. She will be reaching out to request a time to interview students and faculty. You all are doing amazing work and we want to highlight that work on social media. Already we have received videos from our Ph.D. students showing their work over the summer in Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, and other beautiful locations. Janessa may attend classes to video content, please welcome her. If you have content that you would like to share with us, please email Janessa at JANESSA.NUNEZ@UCDENVER.EDU. 

SNAP Support
Wednesday, Sep 9, Noon - 3 p.m.
CU Denver’s Basic Needs Center is partnering with the Food Bank of the Rockies to support students who are interested in applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. SNAP helps qualifying individuals and families purchase healthy food at local grocery stores and farmers markets in the area.

Apply with a SNAP Navigator every other Wednesday from 12-3 p.m. at the Wellness Center Wellness Suite on the third floor.

Career Expo at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance
Friday, Sep 11, 9 a.m. - Noon
Visit Denver Zoo and explore all of the many career opportunities available with the Denver Zoo! Discover the diversity of careers behind animal care, conservation, education, research, operations, marketing, and so much more!

You will:

Engage with experts from a variety of departments and career paths
Strengthen your network, build connections, and gain insider tips to advance your future
Learn how there are many ways to turn your passions and skills into meaningful careers in zoo conservation.

Summit FC Night
Wednesday, Sep 16, 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
$15
Join the Campus Activities Team with your plus one to watch the Denver Summit FC take on Bay FC at Centennial Stadium on September 16th, tickets are just $15. Plus, the first 25 students to purchase tickets will get an exclusive on-field experience before the match. Every ticket also includes access to our pre game party at the Wellness Center, featuring free food, games, activities, and a chance to win exclusive Summit FC gear. We hope to see you there!

Tickets go on sale Sept 10 and link will go live then!

James Peak Backpacking Weekend Trip
Friday, Sep 25 - Saturday, Sep 26 2026
Spend the weekend hiking and camping in the glorious James Peak Wilderness Area! We will discuss backcountry basics including packing a backpack, backcountry cooking, Leave No Trace principles, and setting up a camp site. Expect to hike about 4-5 miles/day with around 2,000 ft of elevation gain up to an alpine lake (this means we will be hiking uphill for a large majority of the hike). This is an overnight trip. All camping gear, meals, transportation, and permits will be provided. Must be available to attend the pre-trip meeting before the trip.

Dates:Fri, Sept 25th- Sat, Sept 26th

Difficulty:5/10 – Moderate. Must be able to hike up steep terrain with a heavy backpack.

Price: $55

Pre-trip Meeting: Tues, Sept 22nd | 5:00pm | Student Wellness Center

Registration CLOSES: Sept 20th | 11:59pm