Natalie Coleman is a PhD student at the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Texas A&M University, under the construction engineering management program. She is a graduate research assistant at Urban Resilience.AI, a lab focusing on interdisciplinary and data-driven solutions for infrastructure resilience, working under Dr. Ali Mostafavi. Her research examines the social disparities and risk inequalities associated with disruptions in infrastructure services during the disaster impact. She is particularly interested in integrating the physical and social vulnerabilities of impacted communities to promote equitable infrastructure practices. Coleman uses data science, machine learning, and disaster research to understand how communities recover after natural hazards such as Hurricane Harvey, Winter Storm Uri, and Hurricane Ida. This includes quantifying system losses, promoting data transparency, and emphasizing human values in the management and restoration of infrastructure. She currently has 11 accepted journal articles in Sustainable Cities and Society, the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, and Scientific Reports. For her research, she has been awarded the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, the Aviles-Johnson Fellowship, and the PEO Scholar Award. Coleman is the President of the Women in Science and Engineering, Treasurer for the Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure, a committee member for the Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate Student Association, and Bill Anderson Fund Fellow. Coleman is passionate about promoting the next generation of students, and she has mentored over 25 undergraduates, volunteered for the Undergraduate Research division at TAMU, and advocated for research funds as an AURA Scholar. She regularly presents to K-12 schools with the belief that anyone can be a researcher.

Maria was born and raised between Zacatecas, Mexico and Oakley, Idaho. She received associate degrees in chemistry, geology, & physics from the College of Southern Idaho (2017). Later she completed her bachelor’s in chemistry at Westminster University (formerly known as Westminster College) in Salt Lake City, UT (2019). Maria also earned her Master’s in Horticulture from NMSU (2021) and is currently in the Plant & Environmental Science Ph.D. Program here at NMSU. Her research explores algal strains as a food source for humans under simulated space conditions. More specifically, Maria is ensuring a simulated environment through gravitational cancellation in a 2-D plane and evaluating algal growth under liquid and solid media for vitamin and macronutrient synthesis. This research seeks to close the gap in availability of specific nutrients for homeostatic human health under a micro-gravity environment. When she is not in her the lab or studies, Maria enjoys volunteering within the university and with community partners.

Katelyn is a second year PhD candidate at the University of Chicago, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, and Neubauer Family Fellow. Using ultrafast laser spectroscopy, she researches how biological systems harness fundamental quantum mechanics to control light-driven processes. Before joining UChicago, she worked in industry as a laser field service engineer. She is passionate and active in STEM education, inclusive pedagogies, and advocacy in teaching and research.

Patrick is a technology executive and founder. He currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer at Shippo managing both product and engineering organizations. Previously, he served as the VP of Product at Truveta focused on developing AI/ML applications to improve the outcomes of patients receiving treatments, at Microsoft in Azure and AI & Research divisions as an engineering and program manager, and working for and leading small businesses developing applications with larger enterprises. In his spare time he enjoys skiing, riding motorcyles and hiking in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and two dogs.

Brayan earned a B.S. in microbiology from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. At the Hewson lab, he focuses on studying the pathogenic ciliate responsible for the mass mortality of sea urchins who belong to the Diadematidae family. He is a 2nd-year graduate student, NSF-GRFP, and CALS Stadtman Fellow in the Microbiology PhD program at Cornell University. He is passionate about making science, especially microbiology, more accessible and inclusive through organizing events, workshops, and seminars that foster a welcoming environment for all aspiring scientists.

Ben Ormond is a Director of Care Transformation for Optum, and was previously with Kaiser Permanente’s Washington region, where he served as a Business Operations Director for the surgical specialties. The main focus in his career has been to understand the complexities of our particular health care ecosystem, with the express purpose of turning that knowledge into more affordable, higher quality health care for patients. Ben received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Portland, and his master’s from Gonzaga. A native of the Pacific Northwest, he lives in Seattle with his wife and dog, and he watches too many movies. His other hobbies include analogue technology, reading books, and attempting to maintain his yard.

Doug Herta is a Principal Analyst for Optum and was previously with Kaiser Permanente's Washington region, where he served as a member of the Medical Group's analytics team. Doug has a dual degree in political science as well as economics from the University of Michigan. He also has a graduate degree from Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He was a peace corps volunteer, a program performance auditor for the legislative audit bureau for Wisconsin, and held a variety of analytics position in and around health care.

Mai Huynh is a 4th Year PhD student in the Pathobiology program at Brown University. Her research in the Jamieson Lab revolves around the complex relationship between the microbiome and the immune system in the context of cancer. She is very passionate about a breadth of topics, ranging from music theory to political science. She has been involved in social justice and equity initiatives since very young and hopes to pursue a career promoting diversity in all types of research in order to make healthcare more inclusive.

Meghan recently earned her B.S. in chemistry from the University at Buffalo, where she synthesized new porous inorganic materials under the guidance of Prof. Timothy Cook. She is currently a first-year Ph.D. student and National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow at Harvard University. In the group of Prof. Daniel Nocera, she studies photocatalysis and other energy-relevant reactions. She is an advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion in STEM, and loves to explore new ways to engage general audiences in chemistry and support the next generation of scientists. (1) Meghan Sullivan | LinkedIn