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The Sound of Forward Momentum

 Ideas Worth Hearing. Research Worth Sharing.

Mixtape

Just like a mixtape, this isn't random — it's curated. CLAS MixTape brings together faculty, students, and community voices for short, compelling presentations on the ideas and challenges shaping our world.

Launched in 2023, MixTape is where liberal arts and sciences get loud. Each event features sharp talks on democracy, public health, social justice, sustainability, and more — the big questions CU Denver has been wrestling with for over 50 years. Our world-class faculty include students at all levels across their classrooms, research, and creative activities. Come curious. Leave with something to think about.

Join us at Mixtape
Stay tuned for CLAS's next edition of Mixtape in the fall.

Spring 2026 Tracks: Research Presenters

Jim Grigsby

Jim Grigsby

Jim Grigsby is a faculty member in the CU Denver Psychology Department, where he teaches cognitive neuroscience/neuropsychology and supervises research for graduate students in the clinical health psychology doctoral program.

Anna Warrener

Anna Warrener

Dr. Warrener’s research focuses on the evolution of the human musculoskeletal system using biomechanical techniques to understand how variation in physical structure affects movement. Much of her research has focused on the evolution of the human pelvis and how its unique anatomy impacts both locomotion and birth. Her research has been featured in The New York Times, BBC, and Runner’s World.

Vanessa Navarro-Rodríguez

Vanessa Navarro-Rodríguez

Dr. Vanessa Navarro-Rodríguez is a political scientist who works at the nexus of Indigenous politics and political economy. Her current work examines the role of the industrial forestry industry in Chile in shaping Mapuche national identity and political behavior. 

Michael Moore

Michael Moore

Mike is an assistant professor in the Department of Integrative Biology. His research lab studies the physiological adaptations that animals need to withstand climate change and other human activities.

Nicky Beer

Nicky Beer

Dr. Nicky Beer is a professor in CU Denver's English Department and Creative Writing Program. Her current manuscript of poems, Lady Glutton, addresses bisexuality, queerness and mental illness, often through the lens of visual art. 

Past Mixtape Events

Mixtape: From Dragonflies to Psychedelics - CLAS Researchers Rewrite the Rules

April 21st, 2026

CLAS faculty members Michael Moore, Vanessa Navarro-Rodríguez, Anna Warrener, Nicky Beer, and Jim Grigsby explore the frontiers of their fields — from climate extinction and indigenous land rights to human evolution, psychedelic medicine, and the lives art history forgot. Discover the questions driving some of CU Denver's most compelling research across biology, political science, anthropology, English, and psychology.

Tracks:

  • Michael Moore, Associate Professor of Integrative Biology
  • Vanessa Navarro-Rodríguez, Associate Professor of Political Science
  • Anna Warrener, Associate Professor of Anthropology
  • Nicky Beer, Professor of English and Creative Writing
  • Jim Grigsby, Professor of Psychology and Medicine and Director of the CU Denver Center for Psychedelic Research

 

Mixtape: From Quantum to Community

February 12, 2026

The event features faculty presentations spanning quantum information science, immigration and identity, historical analysis, and urban climate challenges, highlighting the wide-ranging research across CU Denver’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Together, the talks demonstrate how interdisciplinary scholarship connects to real-world issues and community impact.

Tracks

  • Anisha Armstrong, Psychology Major
  • Dennis Green, Senior Instructor of Ethnic Studies
  • Fayelynn Schneiderman, MA Candidate in Biology
  • Edelina Burciaga, Assistant Professor of Sociology
  • Charles Musiba, Professor of Anthropology
  • Ajah Fox, Alumni and Poet Laureate of Aurora

Mixtape: Record-Breaking Research

February 12, 2025

Join us as we honor another record-breaking year of research excellence. Explore a vibrant display of scholarship and creative work across the humanities, social and integrated sciences, and natural and physical sciences. 

Tracks

  • Hamilton Bean, Professor of Communication
  • Andrea Velásquez, Associate Professor of Economics (video)
  • Michael Wunder, Associate Professor of Integrative Biology
  • Lilya Vugmeyster, Associate Professor of Chemistry (video)
  • Duy Tran, Director for CU Denver’s Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Program (AANAPISI)
  • Katharine Kelsey, Associate Professor of Geography & Environmental Science
  • Wayne Miller, Professor of English

Mixtape: Tech. Transformations - Investigating the Tones of Change

November 9, 2023

Our award-winning CLAS faculty members Soumia Bardhan, Cameron Blevins, Keith Guzick, Amy Hasinoff, Brian Barker, and Marino Resendiz will explore the profound impacts of technology on society. Delve into the cultural, historical, scientific and ethical dimensions of technological change in this thought-provoking event.

Tracks

  • Keith Guzik, Professor and Chair of Sociology
  • Amy Hasinoff, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies of Communication
  • Cameron Blevins, Associate Professor TP of History and Director of CLAS Digital Initiatives
  • Marino Resendiz, Associate Professor of Chemistry
  • Soumia Bardhan, Associate Professor of Communication and Interim Director of International Studies

Mixtape Archives

Why Attend?

  • Discover cutting-edge research from CLAS faculty
  • Earn extra credit (check with your instructor)
  • Network with faculty, students, and community members
  • Explore ideas across disciplines
  • Free event with light refreshments 

For Students

Extra Credit Opportunity: Many CLAS courses offer extra credit for attending Mixtape events. Be sure to:

  • Check with your instructor first
  • RSVP using the form on this page
  • Attend the full presentation
  • Follow your instructor's requirements for credit

For Faculty

Got research worth sharing? We want to hear it. We're always looking for compelling work to feature. Reach out below.

Apply to Present at CLAS Mixtape

Retro mixtape in gold black and white

Video Tracks

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