June 1st, 2026        Fort Collins, CO

ABOUT THE EVENT

Multiple departments are collaborating to bring our graduate students a Life Sciences Career Day that is catered to your unique needs! The day includes a keynote speaker, several panels with multiple panelists for you to ask your field-specific questions, and workshops to help ease your transition from a graduate student to the next phase of your career.

Life Sciences Career Day | Program Overview 
June 1, 2026 | Behavioral Sciences Building 

8:30- 9:00 AM – Light Breakfast & Registration | Location: BHSCI N152 (Hallway outside A101) 

9:00- 10:00 AM – Welcome & Opening Keynote | Dr. David Easterhoff | Location:  BHSCI A 101 

10:15- 11:05 AM – Concurrent Session 1 

• Session 1A: Leaving the United States/Opportunities Abroad (fully remote session) 
  Panelists: Logan Dean; Lexi Keene Snickers; Camron Pearce 
  Location: BHSCI 105 

• Session 1B: Remote/Hybrid Work 

     Panelists: Kristin Fluke; Ikaia Leleiwi; Holly Magna 
     Location: BHSCI 107 

11:10- 12:00 PM – Concurrent Session 2  

• Session 2A: Government Jobs & Federal Organizations  
  Panelists: Shing Ho; Ikaia Leleiwi; Kristy Richardson; Jordan Steel 
  Location: BHSCI 107 

• Session 2B: Looking for Postdoc Positions/Academia Path 
  Panelists: Cori Cahoon; Lindsey Long; Richard Magid; Dylan Parker; Ning Zhao 
  Location: BHSCI 105 

12:05- 1:00 PM – Lunch | Location: BHSCI N152 (Hallway outside A101) 

1:00- 2:40 PM – Workshop: Resumes and CVs | Location: BHSCI A101 
Presenters: Holly Magna; Erin Nishimura; Chase Weldon 

2:40- 3:00 PM – Break 

3:00- 3:50 PM – Session 3  

• Session 3: Academia vs Industry 
  Presenter(s): David Easterhoff; Kevin Flynn; Richard Magid; Devin O’Connor; Breanna Wenck 
  Location: TBD 

3:55- 4:45 PM – Concurrent Session 4  

• Session 4A: Science Communication 
  Presenter(s): David Easterhoff; Jenna Gallegos; Shing Ho; Kristy Richardson 
  Location: BHSCI 105 

• Session 4B: Biotech Start Ups 
  Presenter(s): James Curlin; Holly Magna; Darcy Mora
  Location: BHSCI 107 

4:45- 6:00PM – Networking Reception | Location: BHSCI N152 (Hallway outside A101) 

6:30-  8:00 PM – Dinner (Invitation Only) 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

 David Easterhoff | Director at Moderna

David Easterhoff, Ph.D., is Director of Immunology at Moderna, where he leads research focused on next-generation mRNA/LNP therapeutics for autoimmune and infectious disease. His career has bridged academia and industry, including faculty and research roles at Duke University. Drawing on broad experience in immunology, vaccine science, and translational research, he has led teams, advanced novel therapeutic platforms, contributed to regulatory strategy, and helped move early discoveries toward preclinical development. He is deeply committed to scientific leadership, mentorship, and advancing innovative medicines for patients.

 

PANELS

Opportunities Abroad – Leaving the United States

 Logan Dean (He/Him) | Postdoctoral Fellow

One Health Institute, University of Zurich

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/logan-s-dean-phd-ms/

Logan grew up in Washington State, USA, and majored in Sports Medicine at Washington State University, where he joined a research lab studying viral vector ecology in crop plants — an experience that cemented his interest in science. He went on to earn his MS in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Hawaii, phenotyping immune cells in people living with HIV and patients suffering from Long COVID. In 2022, he began his PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology at Colorado State University understanding of the role of omega-3 fatty acids in modulating lung immunity to agricultural dust. He then completed a short postdoc at CSU studying the immune response to novel vaccine strategies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis before moving to Zurich, Switzerland, to join the One Health Institute. In the lab of Dr. Charlotte Avanzi, Logan is spearheading novel in vitro and in vivo methods to develop immunodiagnostics applicable in endemic regions. Outside the lab, he enjoys playing volleyball, trying new foods, and deciding whether another coffee is needed (it normally is!).

Lexi Keene-Snickers (she/her) | Postdoctoral Researcher

Royal Veterinary College

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-h-keene

Lexi graduated with her PhD in Cell & Molecular Biology from CSU in 2025. She completed her PhD in the lab of Dr. Mark Stenglein where she studied a persistent viral infection in Drosophila melanogaster. Her work included testing the feasibility of using old, dried insect museum specimens for the recovery of old host and viral RNA, optimizing methods for the capture of wild D. melanogaster from the wild using 3D printed fly traps and the collection and sequencing of D. melanogaster from across the United States to study the evolution of the most common persistent viral infection of D. melanogaster. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher in virus genomics at the Royal Veterinary College located just outside of London, UK. She is primarily studying viral communities at the wildlife-host interface as part of the Genomics for Animal and Plant Disease Consortium. She has also continued her work into the feasibility of using old specimens of various types to recover old RNA, specifically viral RNA.

 

Camron Pearce | Postdoctoral Researcher            

University of Zürich                                        

Camron is originally from Boise, ID and has a background in infectious disease, preclinical modeling, and immunology. He completed his Ph.D. in 2024 focusing on pulmonary infections from tuberculosis and other nontuberculous mycobacteria, where he developed and applied advanced animal models to study host-pathogen interactions, antibiotic efficacy, and translational therapeutic strategies. His work integrated imaging, flow cytometry, and machine learning analysis across cell culture and in vivo systems to model clinically relevant disease phenotypes. Through his research, Camron developed a strong interest in how cellular stress responses, inflammation, and tissue microenvironments drive disease progression, themes that extend beyond pulmonary infections into neurodegenerative disorders. Motivated by a personal commitment to advance therapeutic strategies for ALS and FTD, he joined the Polymenidou lab in February 2026. In the lab, he aims to contribute to the study of TDP-43 pathology and the mechanisms underlying ALS and FTD. During his free time, he enjoys hiking and skiing with friends and family, and recklessly signing up for marathons.

 

ACADEMIA VS. INDUSTRY

 

 Kevin Flynn | Chief Scientific Officer

CaseBioscience

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-flynn-28765764/

As Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of CaseBioscience, Dr Flynn directs research and development (R&D) endeavors to advance science in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and in cell and gene therapy (CGT). With over 20 years of experience in neurobiology, stem cells, and immunology, and more than eight years of industry experience as a scientist and manager, he has extensive expertise in ex vivo cell culture optimization across various human cell types and experimental paradigms. After receiving his PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology, Dr Flynn continued as a postdoctoral research scientist at the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology & Biochemistry (Martinsried, Germany), where focused on the neuronal development, regeneration and integrin Biology. Transitioning to industry as a scientist and an R&D group leader, Dr Flynn focused on developing products for stem cells, organoids, and cell therapies at Bio-Techne for over seven years. While in industry, he has worked extensively in design transfer and the regulatory requirements for medical devices and ancillary materials for cell therapies. He continues this work at CaseBioscience focusing on cryopreservation and embryo culture.

 Richard Magid | Vice President, Technology Transfer

Colorado State University Strata

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmagid/

Richard Magid is the Vice President of Technology Transfer at CSU Strata and is responsible for supervision and oversight of the business unit’s operations. He works closely with university administration and the entrepreneurial ecosystem to support the translational research enterprise of the CSU System.

Richard previously served as a Vice President and Director of Technology Transfer for the University of Tennessee Research Foundation at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Richard has a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and is a registered patent agent. Richard also serves as a mentor to others in the field of technology transfer through the Association of University Technology Managers.

 Devin O’Connor (He/Him), PhD | Assistant Professor

Colorado State University  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devin-o-connor-b9b27937/ 

Dr. Devin O’Connor recently left the plant gene editing company Pairwise where he was the Associate Director of Row crops and led a large collaboration with Bayer to improve 5 crop species with gene editing. Now an Assistant Professor at Colorado State University his new lab continues to link the mechanisms of plant development with the tools to engineer them with gene editing. He teaches Cell Biology and a new course “Biotech for the Industry Curious” that links major biotech innovations with how they were discovered, patented, and made into products. 

 

 Breanna Wenck (She/Her), PhD | Senior Scientist – Group Leader

Eurofins PSS Insourcing Solutions                    

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/breanna-wenck   

Bree received her B.S. and Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Colorado State University. During her education, she interned at Watchmaker Genomics in Boulder, CO. After a brief Postdoctoral position after graduating with her Ph.D., she worked at the CDC on characterizing West Nile Virus. Her current position is as a Senior Scientist – Group Leader with Eurofins PSS Insourcing Solutions, where she works at her client’s sight with a focus on team management and hands-on optimization of antibody-drug conjugates for highly targeted cancer therapeutics. 

 

BIOTECH START-UPS

 Holly Magna (She/Her) | Sr. Manager Scientific Intelligence 

Takeda Pharmaceuticals 

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-magna-5287556/ 

Holly received her bachelor’s degrees in general science and microbiology at Oregon State University, and a master’s in biology at Brown University. Holly’s career spans 30 plus years in the pharmaceutical industry, in research as part of target discovery, cloning novel genes and protein expression, patent information support doing freedom to operate and due diligence, clinical information and competitive intelligence.

 

 James Curlin (he/him) | Scientist II  

GT Molecular 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-curlin-6aa688b5/  

Dr. Curlin has been developing molecular assays as a Scientist II in the Research and Development Department at GT Molecular for the past three years. He leads a small team that develops products that aid in the detection of pathogens in a variety of food, agricultural and environmental samples. Prior to his career in industry, Dr. Curlin received his bachelor’s degree in biology at Trinity College, where he studied the Notch cell signaling pathway in fruit flies. After that, he earned his PhD from the Cell and Molecular Biology Program at CSU, where he studied the evolution of SIV and HIV using humanized mouse models. 

 

Jenna Gallegos, Vice President 

Samba Scientific 

Before leaving the bench to join Samba Scientific in 2019, Jenna earned a bachelors degree in Molecular Biology from CU Boulder and a PhD in Plant Biotechnology from UC Davis. Her scientific background includes traditional molecular biology focused on gene expression and RNA processing in C. Elegans and plants, as well as a post-doc in synthetic biology at Colorado State University. As a graduate student, she received the prestigious NSF-GRFP Fellowship. As a postdoc, she authored or co-authored 10 publications in two years and was awarded a patent in biosecurity. 

Jenna is also a skilled writer and avid science communicator. She’s worked as a science journalist at the Washington Post, a feature editor for The Plant Cell and OUP Synthetic Biology, a freelance writer for SynBioBeta and Alliance for Science, and has published over 40 science news stories.  

At Samba Scientific, Jenna has worked with dozens of life science companies, overseeing their messaging, marketing strategy, and providing creative direction. She has also hired and trained a team of PhD-level account strategists and is currently overseeing all business operations as Vice President.

 

Darcy Mora | Vice President of Operations and Co-Founder  

SiVEC Biotechnologies

SiVEC Biotechnologies is a start-up founded in Fort Collins in 2016. Ms. Mora oversees day-to-day operations in the company’s laboratory focusing on developing a live biotherapeutic delivery platform called BactPac™, designed for precise, targeted delivery of biologics. Ms. Mora has helped to secure over $8 million in grant and equity funding for the company and is a named inventor on a portfolio of over 30 granted and pending patents. Her technical and operational expertise has been developed through over 17 years of professional involvement in planning and implementing research activities, including 8 years with the USDA at the National Wildlife Research Center before transitioning to the start-up world. Ms. Mora received her B.S. in Biochemistry and M.S. in Clinical Sciences with an emphasis in Veterinary Epidemiology from Colorado State University. 

 

GOVERNMENT JOBS & FEDERAL ORGANIZATIONS

 Kristy Richardson (she/ella), Ph.D. | Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology Consultant  

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristy-richardson-37ba3212/ 

As an environmental toxicologist with over a decade of experience in state government, I leverage my expertise in risk assessment and risk communication to inform environmental health policy and practice. My work is grounded in the belief that data reaches its full potential when it informs clear next steps—ensuring that evidence-based information is accessible to both the communities and the leaders making decisions.  

Throughout my tenure at CDPHE, I have navigated high-stakes issues like PFAS, air toxics, and wildfire smoke by merging scientific rigor with effective communication. Working at the interface of environment and public health has shown me that interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for solving our most complex challenges. I am grateful to join the Life Science career day and look forward to discussing how the fresh perspectives of the next generation can drive impactful careers in government and science communication. 

 

 Jordan Steel | Associate Professor of Biology  

US Air Force Academy 

Dr. Jordan Steel received his Ph.D. from Colorado State University in 2014 and has been teaching microbiology courses ever since. He is passionate about active learning and having an inclusive, student-centered classroom that explores the fascinating worlds of cells and microbes. He has taught community college courses, online courses and traditional lecture/lab courses at regional comprehensive universities. Steel is currently teaching as an associate professor of biology at the United States Air Force Academy. He leads active learning courses in microbiology, cell biology, virology, molecular methods, and biotechnology. As a researcher, he has most recently been working on genetic engineering and bioremediation projects with the USAFA international Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team, which has successfully earned gold medals at the international competition. He is actively involved in STEM outreach and serves as the director for the Biotechnology Immersion program at USAFA. When not teaching or working in the lab, he enjoys outdoor adventures with his wife, kids, and family pets. 

 

 Ikaia Leleiwi (he/him) | Postdoctoral Researcher  

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ileleiwi/ 

Current researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory working to identify microbial community dynamics and interactions using amplicon sequencing, multi-omics, and stable isotope probing. Ongoing work involves microbiome data integration with machine learning to link biogeochemical processes to microbial activity. 

 

 Shing Ho | Professor  

Colorado State University  

Professor of Biochem (40 yrs); Dept. Chair (15 yrs); NSF Program Director (7+ yrs); Fellow of the International Union of Pure & Applied Chemistry; Fulbright Grantee (Strasbourg, FR); Wellcome Travel Fellow (Dundee, Scotland); Currently teaching Visual Communication in Science (“graphic design for scientists”); Past teaching in Physical Biochemistry (Quantum mechanics; molecular thermodynamics; structural biology). 

 

PANEL: LOOKING FOR POSTDOCS/ ACADEMIA PATH   

 Lindsey Long |  Associate Professor of Biology  

Oklahoma Christian University  

Dr. Lindsey Long is an Associate Professor of Biology at Oklahoma Christian University and a Colorado State University alumna, where she earned her PhD in Biochemistry. Following graduate school, she completed an IRACDA teaching and research postdoctoral fellowship at the University of New Mexico, a program focused on developing excellence in both scientific research and evidence-based undergraduate teaching. Her postdoctoral research examined cellular responses to DNA damage and quiescence. 

At Oklahoma Christian, Dr. Long teaches genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry while leading undergraduate research programs that give students authentic lab experiences in genomics and protein characterization. She has mentored hundreds of students in research projects and presentations at regional and national scientific meetings, helping many pursue graduate school, healthcare, and STEM careers. 

Dr. Long has also served in leadership roles including Honors Program Director, Faculty Mentoring Program Co-Director, and regional leader within the Genomics Education Partnership. She is passionate about helping students translate life science training into meaningful careers. 

 

 Dylan Parker, PhD | Damon Runyon Fellow of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute 

University of Colorado/HHMI  

Dylan Parker is a postdoctoral fellow focused on elucidating the links between ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules and human health. As a graduate student in the Nishimura lab at CSU, Dylan studied the mechanisms of RNA localization and translation regulation in embryonic development to determine the effects of RNP granules on cell fate specification. Following the passion for granules discovered in his grad work, Dylan joined the lab of Dr. Roy Parker at CU with the goal of identifying uncharacterized principles underlying RNP granule organization. Through this work he has discovered that intermolecular RNA interactions are an integral component of granule architecture and dysregulation of the proteins chaperoning RNA interactions is a common feature of granule-related diseases. Dylan is now beginning the process of searching for tenure-track faculty positions to continue his research program as a principal investigator. 

 

 Cori Cahoon (she/her), PhD | Assistant Professor 

Colorado State University 

Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to studying the molecular mechanisms of reproduction. My passion for studying reproduction began as an undergraduate and continued throughout my research experiences in multiple genetic model systems, and now serves as the foundation of my research group. My training began at UC Davis where I learned how to use model systems to address fundamental biological questions about fertility. For my graduate studies, I was driven to explore the different model organisms used to study reproductive biology, which led me to join Dr. R. Scott Hawley’s lab at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research. Using Drosophila melanogaster, I developed an interest in the mechanisms that regulate and establish meiotic chromosome structures. For my postdoctoral studies, joined Dr. Diana Libuda’s lab at the University of Oregon where, as a Jane Coffin Childs Postdoctoral Fellow, I examined the role chromosome structures in temperature induced male infertility with Caenorhabditis elegans. This led me to my current position at CSU where my lab leverages sex comparative studies to define the mechanisms by which environmental factors cause sex-specific infertility.  

 

 Ning Zhao (she/her) | Assistant Professor  

University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus 

Dr. Zhao is an alumnus of Colorado State University, where I completed both my Ph.D. and postdoctoral training. I am currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. My lab focuses on studying the regulatory mechanisms of mRNA translation and co-translational processes—including protein folding, modification, degradation, and assembly—in health and disease. 

 

 

WORKSHOP PRESENTERS

 Erin Osborne Nishimura (she/her) | Associate Professor  

Colorado State University 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-osborne-nishimura-b3275583 

My research in developmental genomics delves into how cohorts of genes work together to orchestrate embryonic development. This is a fascinating field that my lab tackles with a mix of experimental and computational approaches using the model nematode worm, C. elegans. My path to the professorship was a winding one taking me through previous careers in the biomedical industry, popular science bookselling, horticulture, organic farming, and a wide range of academic fields such as plant biology and environmental microbiology.  

 

 Chase Weldon, Sr. Career Education Manager  

College of Veterinary Medicine Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaseweldon/   

Chase Weldon, M.Ed., NCC, LPC, Career Coach 

Chase Weldon believes that a career is more than a title—it is a vital component of personal wellness. As the Senior Career Education Manager at Colorado State University, Chase leverages 14 years of institutional expertise to redefine how we prepare for the world of work. His approach is rooted in the belief that authentic career identity is the key to navigating the modern professional landscape. Chase focuses on equipping individuals with the self-awareness and agility required to lead fulfilling lives in a rapidly changing global economy.